News
Land grabbing: Enugu community raises the alarm, accuses Monarch, Police DSP
The people of Ishiagu Village, Ugwuaji Awkunanaw in Enugu South Council area of Enugu State, have petitioned Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the State Traditional Rulers Council, and the Police Service
Commission (PSC) over alleged criminal encroachment, malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of
peace in the locality.
The people have also pointed accusing fingers at the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ugwuaji Community, Igwe Christopher Ikenga and his son, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga.
In a petition signed by chairman and Secretary of the Ishiagu General
Assembly, Okwudiri Ani and Joe Onu respectively, the community
claimed that the traditional ruler has made it a norm to brazenly and forcibly enter into, cease, parcellate and allegedly sell several
portions of their ancestral land inherited from their forefathers.
They stated that the portions have been in unperturbed and unchallenged possesion for centuries and generations, adding that some of them resisited the alledged criminal encroachment and insisted that
Ishiagu Community is not in Obeagu Ugwuaji and as such Igwe Ikenga has
no jurisdiction over its land neither are the good people of Ishiagu his subjects.
The traditional Ruler , according to them was angered by their resistance and allegedly deployed his son who is a Deputy Superintendent of Police against them and allegedly entered into and ceased total
control of their ancestral lands.
“For avoaindance of doubt and sake of clarity, the border between Ishiagu and Obeagu Communities have been delienated since time immemorial and have been respected conventionally for hundreds of years before the reign of his Royal Highness who is now hell bound on forceful expropriation of our land for no just cause.
“Deputy Superretendent of Police, Tochukwu Ikenga acting on his fathers’s instructions has resorted to using the otherwise good office of the Nigerian Police to perpertrate his father’s clandestine and
obnoxious Agenda.
“DSP Tochukwu Ikenga has been personally threatening members of the Ishiagu Community as randomly as possible at his whims and caprices including but not limited to the undersigned as a result
of which the entire community currently live in fear and majority no longer sleeep at home for fear of Igwe Christopher Ikenga and his son Tochukwu who somtimes invite some section of the police force to
Ishiagu Community who come on a shooting spray, scaring both old and young women, aged fathers and youths scampering for their lives.
The petition which was also jointly signed by Chief Solomon Ugwu, Chief Okafor Ugwu Mr. Faith Ani, Sunday Edeh, alledged that “DSP Tochukwu has arrested, detained, totured and injured numerous
indigenes of Ishiagu Ugwuaji community for daring to question his
right audacity and jurisdiction in lording it over the peaceful people
of Ishiagu Community who are not his subjects.
“On several Occassions, Igwe Christopher Ikenga has openly bragged that he sent his son Tochukwu to school and ensure ge got employed by the Nigerian police solely for the porpoese of intimidating, harrsaing and subjugation of his enemies.
“On his part, DSP, Tochukwu Ikenga has also openly boasted to use his connection in and around the apparatus of the Nigerian Police Force to deal ruthleslly with any member of Ishiagu Community who dares stand
on his father’s way in the forcible aquaisition of Ishiagu Ugwuaji lands aforelisted.
“By this medium, we are calling on His Excellency, the Executive governor of Enugu State, the Chairman, Enugu Council of traditional rulers, the police Service Commission (PSC) and the general public to intervene in this imbroglio and save the Souls of Ishiagu Ugwuaji Community.
“To call on His Royal Highness Igwe Christopher Ikenga and son to order so as to forestall a possible complete break down of fragile peace occasioned by the aggressive and Proactive actions of the duo.”
ENDS
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the demise of its Enugu State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Franklin O Agbakoba.
This is contained in a statement issued by FRSC Deputy Corps Commander in-charge of Enugu State Operations, DCC Kyrian C Okolo, on Friday in Enugu.
“FRSC Enugu State Sector Command received the sad news of the demise of CC Franklin Agbakoba on Thursday, July 30,2026.
“The late Sector Commander died at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu where he was receiving treatment.
“His corpse have been deposited at the Eastern Medical Center, Enugu,” he said.
Until his death,CC Franklin Agbakoba made inter-agency collaboration and partnership his legacy and promoted safer roads within Enugu State.
The family’s head, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, made the demand during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described his uncle as a visionary leader who was wrongly punished for a coup he had no role in.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi noted that his uncle’s tenure as Head of State was brief and ended violently.
“He occupied the seat of head of state for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup.”
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s death resulted from his position rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
He expressed hope that his appeal would reach those with the power to act on it.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s Head of State from January 16 to July 29, 1966, taking charge in the aftermath of the January 15, 1966 coup that had claimed the lives of the country’s political leadership.
He survived that coup and helped crush the mutiny, but his later decision to centralise power under Decree 34, along with his failure to prosecute the plotters, fuelled resentment among northern officers.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup
The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
Addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and lawyers, the circular said the order took immediate effect and formed part of efforts to uphold professional standards within the apex court.
The memorandum read, “I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title ‘Barrister’ as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected within the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
It further directed all affected officers to immediately stop using the title in official correspondence and other official materials.
The memo stated, “Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect.”
The memorandum added, “Heads of Departments and Unit Heads are requested to ensure strict compliance with this directive by all officers under their supervision. Please be guided accordingly.”
The directive comes weeks after the Council of Legal Education cautioned prospective lawyers against wearing wigs and gowns or presenting themselves as qualified legal practitioners before they are formally called to the Nigerian Bar.
The council said such conduct undermined the dignity of the legal profession and warned that violators could face disciplinary measures.
It also reminded candidates that the use of legal regalia is governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and is reserved for duly qualified legal practitioners
The Enugu State Government says it has intensified fight against quackery across all health professions, particularly in the laboratory practice within the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, revealed this on Friday while receiving the National President of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Enugu.
Ugwu decried the growing trend of unprofessional practices and establishments where laboratory services are combined with pharmacies, patient treatment areas, provision stores, and other unauthorised activities.
According to him, such practices are unacceptable and dangerous to public health.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate quackery especially in laboratory practices and operations through sustained monitoring, regulation and enforcement.
The commissioner also commended the association for its dedication to promoting excellence in medical laboratory science and public health advocacy.
He assured the team of the ministry’s willingness to collaborate with professional bodies whose activities align with the government’s vision of delivering accessible, quality, and people-centred healthcare services across the state.
Ugwu stressed the remarkable strides recorded under the administration of Gov. Peter Mbah in transforming the health sector, including investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, primary healthcare revitalisation and improved service delivery.
He urged the association to remain steadfast in upholding professionalism and ethical standards, emphasising that stronger partnerships between government and healthcare professionals remained essential in building a healthier Enugu State.
Earlier, Ifeanyi, who made the visit with some members of his national executive and Enugu State Chapter of AMLSN, briefed the commissioner on the association’s forthcoming AMLSN Annual Public Health Lecture.
He solicited the state government’s goodwill, support and participation in the event, which would be held in Enugu.
“The annual lecture is aimed at advancing quality healthcare delivery, promoting public health awareness, and fostering stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals and government institutions,” he said.
He noted that the association remained committed to improving professional standards and supporting initiatives that would enhance healthcare outcomes for residents of Enugu State and Nigeria at large.
…Inaugurates Amufie Town Union executives
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government has urged Town Union President Generals (PGs) across the state to adopt inclusive leadership that promotes peace, unity and sustainable development in their communities.
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Chief Charles Egumgbe, gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly elected 14-member executives of the Amufie Town Union in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.
The executive committee, led by the President-General, Engr. Kenneth Okechukwu Ogili, was presented with certificates of return at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu.
Egumgbe urged the new leadership to ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with members, stressing that women and youths must be carried along in decision-making.
He advised the executives against operating exclusive caucuses, noting that town union affairs should be conducted openly through regular meetings where decisions are collectively taken.
“You must carry everybody along. Let your policies be all-inclusive and ensure that members are well informed about your activities. Matters should be tabled before the executive and decisions reached collectively,” he said.
The commissioner warned against abuse of office, particularly in matters relating to community land, stressing that anyone found working against the interest of the community could be removed under the state’s Town Union law.
“I don’t know whether you will receive remuneration because this is service to humanity. But whatever you do, don’t sell community land illegally. Land has a way of fighting for itself,” he cautioned.
Responding, the new inaugurated President-General, Ogili, pledged to lead with transparency and work closely with his executive to promote peace, unity and development in Amufie.
He said the administration would prioritise security by strengthening the neighbourhood watch and collaborating with security agencies to flush out criminals from identified flashpoints.
Ogili also promised to maintain a cordial working relationship with the traditional ruler of the community.
“The Igwe is our father. We have different constitutional roles, and there will be no conflict between us. We shall work harmoniously for the peace and progress of Amufie,” he said.
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