News
Ebonyi Deputy Speaker, Lawyer, Regent at War Over Masquerade Ban
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
An Ebonyi-based lawyer, Barrister Christopher Adagba and the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Onah has exchanged words over alleged ban of masquerade procession and human Right abuse in Ngbo Community, Ohaukwu local government area of the State.
Barr. Adagba also accused Hon Onah and the Regent of Umuogodu Oshia, Prince Uche Ogali, of intimidation and threats to his life in connection with a legal case involving his clients.
Ajah, a solicitor represents members of the Ugwoke Ogene (Ngada Ogwu group) in a dispute involving masquerade practices in Ohaukwu and alleged human rights violations.
He said that on June 10, 2024, a group of thugs, allegedly led by Hon. Onah and Prince Ogali, attacked his clients, who are members of the Ugwoke Ogene cultural group adding that his clients were engaged in a peaceful procession to fulfill a traditional Ngbo cultural practice that mandates offering of kola nuts to the elders at Okwo Market during Omabe year.
He said that after completing the ceremony, while returning, at Umuogodu Oshia, they were ambushed by the thugs, allegedly acting on instructions of Ngbo Leaders Council.
It would be recalled that the council banned masquerade processions and mandated the practice of Christianity, prohibiting African traditional practices.
He noted that his clients, Emmanuel Ebenyi, Awoke James, Aburo Samuel, Ifeanyi Onwe, and four others, were assaulted, arrested, and detained for eight days by the police, despite not committing any crimes.
“They were later released but were unable to meet the conditions imposed on them. My clients were forced to pay ₦400,000 to the Ngbo Leaders Council, with only ₦150,000 paid so far. They were also asked to sign an undertaking to abandon African traditional practices in favor of Christianity.
“They were also mandated to provide a ten-year life insurance policy, holding them responsible for any harm to Hon. Onah or Prince Ogali”.
In response, a suit was filed on August 22, 2024, at the Federal High Court (Suit No. FHC/AI/CS/FHR/156) to enforce my clients’ fundamental human rights.
“On Sunday 6th October, 2024 my client’s son called me at 11:30pm in the night that police has rearrested his Father Mr. Emmanuel Eze Ebenyi and took him to an unknown destination and I assured him that I will go to the police headquarter the following day. On getting there I saw three of them at anti kidnapping unit and the IPO told me to go to magistrate court , the court did not sit on that day, it case was scheduled for Thursday.
“On Thursday morning by 4:30 pm , I and my wife heard a knock at the door, three police men were at the door, and they told me that they are police men from police headquarter and that I was under arrest, I pleaded with them that they should allow me come in the morning as I was handling my case for my clients, which they refused my plea.
“I requested for their warranty of arrest but they couldn’t produce any , they insisted on arresting me. So my wife brought t-shirt and trouser for me since I was on my boxers. I wore it and they took me to a Black Toyota car with red interior and drove off.
Instead of taking me to the police station, they took me inside a bush in Ezza through Ukwuachi along Abakaliki Enugu highway. They drove until the car got stuck at a place and couldn’t move , which they called for another car, a hilux came with covered plate number belonging to Chinedu Onah.
“They later took me to Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit, CMU at liberation estate, and handed me over to them.
“It was there I was asked if I had problem with the Deputy Speaker and I said no that I am only a counsel to my client in a matter they are having with him which include the police.
“Later the OC in charge of the case released me and said I was not under arrest , there is no petition written against me by anyone to the commissioner of police. That Chinedu Onah and Prince Uche Ali and their group want me dead because of a case I’m doing that did not favour them.
“During the search for me, my wife and brother met Chinedu Onah at the court and he told them that I’m at CMU at liberation estate.
“I’m pleading to the Ebonyi state government to come to my aid because I’m doing my legal duty,” he stated.
In response to the allegations, both Hon. Chinedu Onah and Prince Ogali denied any personal involvement in the lawyer’s alleged intimidation or arrest and stressed the importance of allowing the courts to resolve the matter.
According to the deputy Speaker Hon. Chinedu Onah stated, “this is a matter before the court, and I don’t know the lawyer personally. The decision to restrict masquerade activities in the market was made by the Ngbo Leaders Council, not by me. We are not trying to stop the culture but protect the rights of others,” he maintained.
Prince Uche Ali also addressed the situation, adding, “the masquerade activities have escalated into cultism, armed robbery, and other crimes. The local government legislated against masquerade activities in major roads and markets in 2023 to curb these excesses. I helped facilitate the release of the individuals after their arrest, but the situation has been escalated on social media and in court.”
“Ngbo nation said if you bring this masquarade to the market, you pay eighty thousand, five of them is 450,000 naira and they now paid 150,000, remaining 300,000. That was when I now intervened.
“Only five were arrested and those fives were masquerade and we expect that the spirit should fight for them selves, let me bring to your attention that nobody was been coerced into that payment , nobody is been forced into religious conversion, I will never stop anybody from that which he believe in as a religion,” he stated.
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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