Agunese Community Protests Against Monarch’s Alleged Misconduct

Tens of people from Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State protested at the Government House in Enugu. They want Governor Peter Mbah to step in over claims of intimidation, harassment, and misuse of power by their traditional ruler, HRH Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi.

The protesters marched from Okpara Square to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. They then moved to the Government House, demanding that the governor suspend the monarch while looking into the allegations.

The protesters accused Nevobasi of interfering in town union matters, blocking elections, and using his power to intimidate and arrest members of the community.

The claims were part of a petition dated September 23, 2026. It was signed by the community’s Legal Adviser, Vincent Okafor, and sent to the governor.

These claims have not been confirmed by any independent sources. The traditional ruler could not be reached for comment when this report was written.

The protesters said the issues around the traditional stool have lasted for over twenty years, causing deaths and long disputes in the community.

“Since Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi forced himself on the throne of our community, over two decades ago, the community has known no peace,” the petition said.

They claimed that two people, including the late Chief Festus Akpu and a minor named Chidiebere Ogbonna, lost their lives due to the ongoing crisis.

They added that these cases were reported to the police but were not resolved properly.

The protesters pointed out that the situation worsened in 2021 when 16 young people set up the Agunese Way Forward Initiative. They aimed to tackle what they called long-standing issues in the community.

According to the petition, the group raised N6 million to help form a new town union executive.

The protesters claimed that after the activities of the group became public, a voice note allegedly from the palace circulated. In it, Nevobasi supposedly threatened the group's members.

They also said that a town union election scheduled for December 30, 2021, was disrupted by the traditional ruler.

The petition mentioned that some community members were later accused of being linked to unknown gunmen, the Eastern Security Network, and the Indigenous People of Biafra.

As a result, many indigenes were arrested and held for long periods.

They highlighted the cases of Engineer Theophilus Chukwu, Okafor, musician David Okeke, Emmanuel Uwa Okeke, and Ifeanyi Christopher Okeke.

“Currently, sir, Chief Ifeanyi Christopher Okeke has been languishing in the Enugu prison since the 30th day of November 2025 on allegation of murder that never happened,” the petition said.

The community claims this case is linked to his relationship with another indigene.

The latest unrest happened on September 18, 2026, when an election was set to choose a new town union executive.

They alleged that the President-General, Chief Simeon Okike, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Euzebus Okolo, and Secretary, Richard Ukekwe, were abducted and taken away.

The protesters said a voice note circulating on community WhatsApp groups suggested that the abduction aimed to stop the election.

They said plans were later made to create a caretaker committee.

“This ugly event is the second time that Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi is truncating a peaceful democratic process in our community,” the petition stated.

The protesters questioned the traditional ruler’s reported stay in South Africa. They argued that this does not meet the requirements of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.

They called for the release of community members still in detention and urged the government to ensure proper legal procedures are followed.

“Where any person is suspected of a crime, the appropriate constitutional and legal procedure is investigation, charge where sufficient evidence exists, and trial before a competent court, not indefinite detention,” the petition stated.

The protesters demanded that Nevobasi be suspended immediately to allow an independent investigation into the claims.

“We humbly urge you, sir, to come to the aid of my town, Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community, by suspending the Igwe to allow for an investigation into all of our complaints to determine his guilt or absolution to avert possible bloodshed,” the petition stated.

During the protest, placards included messages like, “Due Process Not Intimidation,” “Suspend the IGWE Pending Investigation,” “Justice, Due Process for Agunese,” and “Save Our Soul.”

Speaking to journalists, Okafor and the outgoing community chairman, Chief Nathaniel Mgbudike, repeated the allegations and urged the governor to act before the crisis worsens.

The protesters said their demands aim to restore peace and trust in the traditional and community leadership.