The traditional ruler of Ogbeke Agbani in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Okechukwu Egbuna, has rescinded the ban on the burial of his late brother’s wife, Mrs Elizabeth Ogbodo.
This was after a media report on the incident.
It was reported that the traditional ruler banned the burial of the widow following the refusal of her children to withdraw a lawsuit she instituted against some members of the community challenging the creation of an access road on her landed property.
The monarch accused the deceased of contravening the community law by reporting a member of the community to a female organisation, Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), and subsequently taking him to court.
The monarch also threatened the woman’s immediate family with banishment from the community and a fine of N10,000 on any community member who would attend the burial, which the children fixed for Thursday, April 28, 2022.
After the report, the traditional ruler reportedly rescinded the ban and mandated community members to attend the burial.
The widow’s daughter, Chiamaka Egbuna, commended media for coming to the aid of the family “by exposing the high-handedness of the monarch.”
She said, “My family is grateful to the media for saving us. After your report, he (Igwe) summoned a meeting on Tuesday evening where he directed members of the community to ensure that everyone attended the burial on Thursday.”
PUNCH
