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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Anambra State Government has warned persons allegedly parading themselves as traditional rulers without official recognition to immediately desist from the act or risk arrest and prosecution under the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
The government also directed residents and Presidents-General of town unions across the state to report individuals who unlawfully assume traditional ruler titles or perform functions reserved for duly recognised traditional rulers.
The warning was contained in a letter dated July 22, 2026, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Ifeanyi Ezeaka, Esq., and addressed to Presidents-General of town unions in the state.
According to the commissioner, the directive followed reports received by the state government concerning individuals who allegedly parade themselves, allow themselves to be addressed or portrayed as traditional rulers, or perform functions legally reserved for recognised traditional rulers despite not having been formally recognised by the Anambra State Government.
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The government stressed that under the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State, 2007, only a person duly selected, appointed and formally recognised by the state government in accordance with the law is entitled to function as, or present himself as, the recognised traditional ruler of a town or community.
According to the government, the law makes it a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for any person who has not been recognised by the Governor as a traditional ruler to parade himself as one, permit himself to be portrayed or addressed as a traditional ruler, or perform any function or ceremony reserved for a recognised traditional ruler.
The state government consequently announced its decision to prosecute individuals found to be unlawfully parading themselves as traditional rulers, assuming reserved traditional titles, or performing functions legally designated for recognised traditional rulers.
The commissioner therefore directed Presidents-General of town unions to submit complaints to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry of Justice against persons within their communities who are allegedly violating the provisions of the law.
