Follow Us on Google
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The traditional ruler of AtaIgbo Ukwu Kingdom in Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, has denied an online report which alleged that he prevented one of his subjects
from burying his late wife.
A blogger had, on July 15, published a story with the title “Man Accuses Traditional Ruler of Stopping Wife’s Burial, Demands Justice”.
In the publication, the man, one Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah, a resident of Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa, had accused the traditional ruler of preventing him from burying the late wife, despite a court order.
The traditional ruler, who is also the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, in a statement, dismissed Amah’s allegation, describing it as falsehood and a figment of the man’s imagination.
Eze Mbah, however, explained that it was the Umuzomgbo community, led by the Chiefs and President General, who reported Amah to the police to clear himself of the circumstances surrounding the death of his wife.
“The community then reported to the police for investigation, to know the cause of the death. The news was everywhere, even the Mayor of the Arochukwu LGA, the DPO, and all security persons were contacted.
“The Arochukwu police now arrested Mr Elijah Amah and later sent him to the CID Umuahia, where police requested for an autopsy to determine the cause of death of Amah’s wife.
“Amah told the police that he has no money for autopsy, the money for autopsy was paid, and he (Amah) refused to go with the pathologist to do the autopsy, telling the police that ‘we don’t do autopsy in our community’”.
The traditional ruler vowed to sue the owner of the blog, Dream News, “for tarnishing his image by refusing to hear from him before publishing his story”.
“And for the so-called online reporter, who could not hear from me, or the police, and even the community people, but rushed to publish a one-sided report, I have briefed my lawyer. He will meet us in court,” said the monarch.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the community has reacted to the allegation leveled against their traditional ruler, describing the accusation as baseless and unfounded.
In a release jointly endorsed by the President General, Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union, Mr Frank Kalu Okereke, the Secretary, Comrade James Ogwuo Mark, and Deputy President General and Chairman, Home Branch, Rev. Moses Azuma Ogbonnaya, the leadership noted that their traditional ruler is a highly respected monarch who should not be dragged into unnecessary controversies.
