Police operatives from the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force CID Annex, Enugu, have begun an investigation into the conduct of Chief Chukwuemeka Henry Ugwunta for allegedly crowning himself as the traditional ruler of Agbaja Umumba Community, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
P.M. EXPRESS reports that Chief Ugwunta is being investigated following a petition by the legal firm, Ahretti & Associates, to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force CID Annex, Enugu, over an alleged case of impersonation, threat to life, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace in the community.
In the petition dated 2nd April, 2026, the firm said it was acting on behalf of Engr. Chidiebere Ugwuonye, the President General; Hon. Hillary Udah, the Secretary General; and Emmanuel Onyebuchi, the current President General, representing the entire Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno community.
According to the petition, the community has been without a traditional ruler for several years following the death of its former Igwe.
The petitioners said this vacuum has stalled development and denied the community access to government benefits due to it.
To address the situation, the town union executive unanimously resolved to elect a new Igwe in line with the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law. A screening board was constituted in 2025 to oversee the process, and the exercise was publicized for interested aspirants to submit their credentials.
Several candidates, including Chief Chukwuemeka Henry Ugwunta, indicated interest in the stool. To ensure a peaceful process, the board convened a peace meeting where all aspirants signed a peace accord committing to good conduct throughout the election period.
However, trouble began when information reached the board that Chief Ugwunta was allegedly parading himself as “HRH Igwe Prof. Chukwuemeka Henry Ugwunta (Ezechinyelugo I) of Aniagu Ancient Kingdom, Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno,” even though the election had not been conducted or concluded.
The petition alleged that Chief Ugwunta has been addressing himself as “His Royal Majesty (HRM) Prof. Chukwuemeka Henry Ugwunta” both within and outside the community. It further claimed that he has been using a licensed vehicle plate bearing the title and boasting of his position while threatening other aspirants.
The town union, armed with evidence of the alleged impersonation and threats, convened a meeting on 6th December, 2025 and unanimously suspended Chief Ugwunta indefinitely from contesting the Igweship stool of Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno.
The situation reportedly escalated on 7th December, 2025, when one Okwudili Okafor, described as a member of Chief Ugwunta’s gang, allegedly attacked the Secretary General of the town union on his way home and nearly killed him before bystanders intervened.
Disturbed by the development, the town union leaders petitioned the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. In response, the Ministry directed that the matter be reported to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution, citing violations of the Traditional Rulers Bye-Law CAP 151, Sections 19-24.
The petition stressed that Chief Ugwunta’s actions amount to criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and conduct capable of inciting violence and promoting a local war within the peaceful community.
More concerning, the petitioners alleged that Chief Ugwunta has been boasting that he has “bought over” the Police in Enugu with his money and has political allies who will ensure that any complaint against him is suppressed.
The legal team attached several documents to support the claims, including the signed peace accord by contestants, the letter of suspension issued by the town union, a video clip of the alleged impersonation, and the recommendation letter from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.
Ahretti & Associates urged the Police to urgently investigate the matter and bring the culprit to justice in order to restore peace and order in the community. They emphasized that allowing such conduct to go unchecked could undermine traditional institutions and public safety.
The firm concluded by appealing to the Police authority to act swiftly on the Ministry’s recommendation to ensure sanity in the system and to protect the rights and safety of the Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno people. All correspondence, the petition noted, should be addressed to the President General of the community.
Police sources said Chief Ugwunta has denied the allegations and claimed that he was crowned Igwe in Ogun State not in his community.
He has been granted administrative bail and asked to return on 21st May, 2026, for continuation of the investigation.
