News
Enugu: Alleged Forgery Crisis Stalls Igweship Election in Nru Nsukka Community
The planned Igweship election of Nru Nsukka Autonomous Community in Enugu State has been thrown into uncertainty following allegations of certificate and signature forgery in the community’s constitution.
The disputed constitution, reportedly adopted on March 9, 2021 and sworn to on March 29, 2021, carries the signatures of fourteen individuals out of seventeen listed signatories, including village heads, the traditional ruler, the oldest woman in the community, and the youth leader.
However, the document has come under intense scrutiny after some of the supposed signatories—both living members and relatives of deceased ones—claimed they were unaware of the constitution and did not sign it.
Dispute Over Igweship Rotation
At the centre of the controversy is Section 10 of the constitution, which states that the Igweship should rotate between the Ezema and Evonashi quarters of the community. It also provides that the selection of the traditional ruler should be based on merit rather than village seniority.
But elders and stakeholders in the community have rejected this provision, insisting that the traditional ruler should emerge according to the seniority of villages within the quarter whose turn it is to produce the Igwe.
Some elders accused members of the constitution drafting committee of disregarding long-standing cultural traditions.
“Our culture recognises seniority in everything,” one village head who requested anonymity said. “The eldest village in the quarter should produce candidates for the Igwe. But this constitution ignores that tradition and opens the contest to anyone with influence or money. We reject it.”
The elders also called on Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to intervene to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
Allegations of Forged Signatures
Concerns escalated when relatives of some listed signatories alleged that their signatures were forged.
Harrison Ezema, son of Elder Michael Ezema, the village head of Umashi, claimed his father never signed the document.
“My father cannot sign like that. He only uses thumbprints,” Harrison said. “We took him to the village square to ask about it, but nobody could explain who signed for him.”
Similarly, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, the community’s oldest woman, was reportedly listed as a signatory, but her column was signed by a man identified as Obi Ishiwu. She said she had no knowledge of the constitution.
Calls for Dialogue
The traditional prime minister of the community, Onowu Sylvanus Okoro, has appealed for calm and urged stakeholders to resolve the issue through dialogue.
He noted that the constitution had existed for about five years without objection and suggested that the matter could be addressed during a general assembly.
“If it is true that the document was not properly signed, we can rectify it,” Okoro said. “What we want is peace. If we destroy ourselves over the Igwe position, who will the traditional ruler govern?”
Drafting Committee Defends Constitution
However, a member of the constitution drafting committee, Barrister Patrick Omeje, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the constitution was properly drafted and approved before it was submitted to the Enugu State Ministry of Rural Development.
He argued that the same constitution had recently been used to elect the community’s town union executives without any complaints.
“Those alleging forgery should go to court and prove it,” Omeje said. “The constitution is authentic and already recognised by the state government.”
On the controversy surrounding seniority, Omeje said the Igweship election must follow the rotational arrangement between Ezema and Evonashi quarters and be decided through an election, in line with the state’s traditional rulers’ law.
Historical Context
Nru Nsukka Autonomous Community was created during the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani from Nsukka Town, comprising Iheagu, Ezemanedem, and Umuoyo quarters.
While Ezemanedem and Umuoyo retained their names, Iheagu adopted the name Nru Nsukka Autonomous Community.
Some residents claim the controversial constitution was drafted unilaterally by the then town union leadership to influence leadership structures in the community.
Observers warn that the dispute, if not carefully handled, could deepen divisions within the community and further delay the planned Igweship election.
Credit: People’s Voice
The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, , has offered prayers for , praying for God’s favour, protection, and victory as the state approaches the coming elections.
Speaking during a church gathering, Mbaka declared that Governor Mbah would succeed, expressing confidence that God, whom he said had begun a great work through the governor, would bring it to completion.
“It shall be well with Peter Mbah; may the favour of God be with him. We back him with our prayers. The Adoration family throws our prayers around him, that he will succeed, in the name of Jesus. May God grant him the power of victory at the end of the whole election,” Mbaka said.
The cleric further expressed hope that Mbah’s leadership would bring joy to the Igbo people, the people of Enugu State, and the Church, adding that the Igbo economy could witness greater advancement under his administration.
According to Mbaka, the progress recorded so far gives hope that greater achievements lie ahead, stressing that God would perfect the work already begun.
His remarks come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming elections.
ENUGU — Governor Peter Mbah has directed the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (ESEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and other palliative support to two families displaced by the fire that razed a two-storey building at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, Enugu, on Saturday.
The governor’s directive followed reports by Everydaynewsngr that the inferno destroyed two flats and consumed household property, valuables, and important documents belonging to the affected families, leaving them homeless.
The General Manager of ESEMA is expected to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate the distribution of emergency relief items to ease the hardship faced by the victims while further interventions are considered.
Residents of the area welcomed the governor’s swift response, describing it as a demonstration of compassion and responsible leadership at a difficult time for the affected families.
One of the victims, an employee of a higher institution in Enugu State who is said to be approaching retirement, had lamented that the fire wiped out decades of savings and destroyed all his household belongings, including vital documents and certificates.
No lives were lost in the incident, while the cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak as affected families begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives.
The state government urged residents to remain safety conscious and report fire emergencies promptly to relevant agencies to minimise damage and loss of property.
By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.
By Our Correspondent
ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.
The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.
Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitness Tony Iroji said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.
One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.
The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.
According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.
“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.
No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students governing body, has issued a four days ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director, Cooperate and Private Sectors Engagement.
The statement said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face full wrath of the over 43.1 million Nigerian students scattered in the nooks and crannies of the country.
“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.
“As the biggest students body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” it said.
The statement further noted that immediately after expiration of the ultimatum, NANS will consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions will follow.”
It called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their inimical acts towards other Africans.
“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” it added.
It would be recalled that xenophobic attack by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some gruesomely murdered.
Several Nigeria business interests and business premises, owned by law abiding Nigerians in South Africa, had been completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans without any justification.
The alleged perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians, who are willing to leave the unfriendly country and her people, free of charge back to Nigeria.
However, some of those, who returned to Nigeria recently, left South Africa barely with the cloth they put on, losing savings, valuables and businesses they set up or acquired after many years.
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