Follow Us on Google
From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The High Court of Enugu State has issued an order restraining the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT) and other security agents from carrying out further arrests or intimidation of youths in Mburubu community, Nkanu East Local Government Area.
Justice C. O. Ajah gave the order yesterday , 24 November 2025, after hearing an application brought by 10 youths of the community, Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph Ani Ezeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka, who appeared on behalf of themselves and other concerned Mburubu youths.
None of the respondents, including the Commissioner of Police, the SWAT Commander ,CSP Nduwuisi, IPO, Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi and community member ,Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, was present in court during the proceedings.
Arguing the motion in Suit No. E/1093m/25, counsel to the applicants, Barrister Ike Ozor, told the court that the youths were being victimised for resisting what he described as an unlawful attempt by Onuokaibe to install himself as Igwe of Mburubu, contrary to existing orders of the court.
Ozor reminded the court that a judgment in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024, delivered on 12 January 2025, had already disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the traditional stool on the grounds of the community’s rotational leadership arrangement.
He further noted that a separate order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 restrained Onuokaibe from holding a new yam festival slated for 1 November 2025.
“Despite these clear and subsisting orders, he went ahead to conduct the new yam festival and has continued to parade himself as Igwe-elect,” Ozor said.
Other News
The lawyer alleged that Onuokaibe, acting in connivance with some police operatives, caused the arrest of ten youths on 3 November, who were allegedly beaten, tortured and detained for several weeks for opposing his claim to the throne.
He added that the police, acting on Onuokaibe’s influence, had also compiled a list of about 70 community leaders and directed them to report to the SWAT office, raising fears of a wider crackdown.
According to Ozor, after weeks in detention, the 10 arrested youths were taken from the SWAT office to Onuokaibe’s home, where they were allegedly forced to address him as Igwe before being released without any conditions, an action he said further confirmed they had committed no offence.
He argued that the situation had become “life-threatening” for the applicants, and urged the court to intervene to protect their constitutional rights.
Upon reviewing the submissions, Justice Ajah held that the applicants had laid before the court “sufficient and compelling facts” showing that their lives, liberties and personal safety were at risk.
The judge, therefore ,granted the restraining order, barring the police and all other respondents from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicants or any member of the Mburubu community pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
Justice Ajah subsequently announced that the case would be returned to the Chief Judge of Enugu State for reassignment to another judge.
