News
Land Dispute: Women, Youths Protest Arrest, Harassment Of Palace Chief By Police
Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki
Women and youths numbers over 100 of Ihie autonomous community in Ivo Local Government Area of the State have staged a peaceful protest over what they described as illegal and unlawful arrest, intimidation and harassment of the people of the community.
The protesters said that some highly placed individuals from the community are using their position to intimidate members of the community, order for their arrest and are usually whisked away to an unknown destination.
Expressing their anger, the protesters said that just few days ago, a Palace Chief, Chief Nwabuikwu Odoemenam was whisked away by unknown persons which created palpable fear in the community as members of the immediate family and the community could not give account of his way about.
They maintained that several hours after the palace Chief was taken away, there was no communication which made the community to expressed fear of his safety.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like, “We don’t know the way about of our Chief. Chief Emmanuel Ajah, Pls resolve the land Dispute in Ihie autonomous community. Gov Nwifuru, pls call those using their offices to intimidate our people to order, We don’t want any bloodshed in Ihie Community, among others.
The protesters who staged the peaceful protest in the community expressed their displeasure over the use of some policemen from the Force Headquarters to whisk away Chief Odoemenam to an unknown destination.
They maintained that it was not clear where Chief Odoemenam was taken to and called on the State Governor Chief Francis Nwifuru to urgently intervene in the land Dispute before it degenerate into a full scale crisis.
One of the protesters who spoke to journalists, Mr. Johnson Ajah said that they were surprised that the palace Chief was whisked away without any reference to his family members adding that they had expressed fear that the Chief was abducted.
“They came to the community and whisked one of the palace Chiefs away to an unknown destination. We had to stage this peaceful protest to draw the attention of the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru to the high level of intimidation and harassment being perpetrated by some few individuals under the watch of the Council Chairman.
There is the need for the State Governor’s urgent intervention on the matter before it escalates. We had expected that before now our Council Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ajah would have taken a bold step in resolving the dispute but from the look of things, he has not shown any political will towards addressing the issue.
He has neither called for a meeting or invited interested parties to discuss the issue but rather he has continued to pretend that all is well when he knows all is not well. If he doesn’t have the political will to call for a round table meeting to discuss the issue, then let the Ministry of Boarder Peace and Conflict Resolution take over the matter.
Our fear is that if nothing is done urgently to resolved the dispute, it might result to a more serious crisis. Those who are instigating the crisis should be called to order. We don’t want to witness another crisis in Ivo LGA. Those who are benefiting from crisis in the local government should have a change of mind. The deaths of people in Ivo is not worth any political office or wealth being acquired.
When Contacted, the Traditional Ruler of Ihie Autonomous Community Ishiagu Ivo LGA, Eze Gabriel Okoro stated that when he was contacted on the alleged kidnap of a Palace Chief from ndiokoroukwu, Chief Odoemenam he immediately went to the Ivo Police Division for help.
On getting to the station, I met with the Divisional Police Officer DPO, I was told that the Chief was arrested by policemen from the Force CID Abuja. The DPO gave me the contact of the police men that came from force CID Abuja to arrest the chief. So it wasn’t a case of kidnap but an arrest.
The Traditional Ruler appealed to the people of the community to remain calm and call on the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru to call to order the same group of people creating the crisis in his kingdom to order.
“The same group of people that are harassing everybody in my community now started the problem with me as the king and now they have extended the problem to my subjects who have lived in this our community peacefully for over five decades.
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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