The traditional ruler of Akpakwume Community of Enugu State, HRH Ekwueme Odenigbo, has been suspended indefinitely by the Enugu State government over his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.
The traditional ruler’s suspension was conveyed in a letter entitled “Letter of indefinite suspension” signed by the state commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo.
The royal father was accused of unilaterally authorising a private profit-oriented firm, Eta-Zuma Mining and Industries Ltd., to engage in mining exploration in the community without following due process.
The letter read, “Your actions are in contradistinction to the economic agenda of the state government in the mining sector, a breach of the agreements reached by all communities in the state of which you signed, and an apparent neglect of the provisions of your constitution with regards to the office of your prime minister.”
The letter recalled that the suspended traditional ruler signed an agreement along with other communities in Enugu State on May 1, 2024, where it was agreed that all community interest and involvement in the mineral deposits in their various communities would be protected and conducted through an agency of the state government.
According to the letter, the suspended traditional ruler worked contrary to the agreement by issuing a letter of consent dated October 14, 2024, to a private company to commence mining exploration at Akpakwume.
He is therefore charged with instigating communal crises, sabotaging economic efforts of the state government, disregarding an executive order from the office of the state governor, and breaching an agreement reached with the state government by all communities in Enugu State in respect of mineral exploration/exploitation.
The letter read further, “In line with the provisions of the Traditional Rulers’ Law of Enugu State, CAP 151, Section 10(b), and given the concerns noted above, and bearing in mind that you have been warned earlier to desist from such actions, which you ignored, you are therefore by this letter suspended from your position as the traditional ruler of Akpakwume Community indefinitely.”
The state therefore directed the traditional prime minister of the community, Chief Livinus Okolo, to hold forth pending further pronouncements from the state government. The suspended traditional ruler was also directed to hand over and return all the apparatuses of his office to the ministry with immediate effect.
