Enugu Man Accuses Traditional Ruler Of Torture, Extorting N10m Over Accident

…I Was Only Helping – Igwe Ugwuanyi

The traditional ruler of Ekoi-Iheaka in Igboeze South LGA of Enugu State, HRH Vincent Ugwuanyi, has been accused of torturing and extorting money from one Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi.

Ifeanyichukwu, it was gathered, is a relative of an accident victim, one Nnamdi, who was riding a motorcycle that was involved in an accident, which led to the death of his passenger, named Uche.

The deceased hailed from Ekoi-Iheaka, the kingdom of Igwe Ugwuanyi.

Ifeanyichukwu, who spoke exclusively with THE WHISTLER in Enugu, Sunday, said he was yet to recover from the torture meted to him in the palace of the traditional ruler.

He also alleged that the Igwe billed him N10m as compensation to the family of the deceased.

He said the build-up to his ordeal started after the accident that occurred on Monday, 16th July, 2025 at Ofulonu, Nsukka.
According to Ifeanyi, “My brother, Nnamdi, was carrying Uche, our friend and yard mate. A car hit them, and both fell down. Uche died, and my brother broke his leg. I was told about the accident.

“When I got to the scene, I only saw the motorcycle and the car that was involved.

“I called my brother’s number, and was told he was at the Faith Foundation Hospital, Nsukka.

“I got there and met them while they were still in the vehicle they were conveyed in.

“I was told to get them registered before they could be attended to. I paid for these things. They were admitted. Uche died shortly after,” he told THE WHISTLER during the interview.
He said he contacted Uche’s family through a phone and found his (Uche’s) room. Thereafter, he then moved his brother to a local bone setter at Orba in Udenu LGA.
He continued, “Uche’s relatives came to the hospital, and claimed that I abandoned Uche. I told them that I only left to take my brother to a local bone setter.

“His brother later called me, and threatened to arrest me. I demanded to know the offence I committed.

“I also told him that we needed to see the woman who was driving the vehicle that hit them.”
Ifeanyichukwu’s matter was reported to HRH Igwe Vincent Ugwuanyi, the traditional ruler of the deceased’s community, Ekoi-Iheaka. Ifeanyi said the family was accusing him of unlocking the deceased’s phone.

“The deceased had two phones,” he stated. “He left with one of them that fateful morning.

“We live in the same yard. I traced the phone he was holding when the accident occurred, but it could not switch on.

“I then returned to the house, and then traced his other phone in his room. From the phone, I got the number of one of my classmates whom I told to inform the family of Uche that he had an accident.
“When they arrived, they demanded the whereabouts of the phone. I told someone in our compound to give them the phone. They still reported the matter to the traditional ruler.

“I was invited alongside my father. When we got there, the Igwe said he had already investigated and found out that I was part of the killers of Uche.

“He commanded his boys to beat me up. They used whips on my back. Uche has been my friend from our primary six. Igwe said I killed him, and that I should pay the family N10m for his funeral.

“Uche’s brothers were there. The family, however, told the traditional ruler that they would not want to use their brother’s death for business.

“Igwe told them that in the last four years, his vehicle was involved in an accident, which resulted in a death, and he paid the family of the deceased N4m.”
Ifeanyichukwu said he thought that going to see the traditional ruler would have provided him a good platform to make his case clear, and establish his innocence. But it was not so, according to him.
Quoting him, “I thought that going to see the traditional ruler was to make peace. He said we must pay N10m as compensation.

“He also charged us N100, 000 to entertain those that beat me up. My father paid N100, 000 cash, as the traditional ruler refused cash transfer. We were asked to pay the N10m fine tomorrow, being Monday.”
I was just helping Ifeanyichukwu, Traditional Ruler Claims
When contacted, the traditional ruler, HRH Vincent Ugwuanyi, denied torturing Ifeanyichukwu. He claimed that he was just helping him to settle the matter amiably.
Quoting him, “Ifeanyichukwu didn’t tell you the truth. The family of the deceased reported the case to my palace. The other party was invited. The girl who collected the clothes of the dead came with the clothes.

“Ifeanyichukwu’s father also brought the phone of the deceased. I told them it is a murder case, which can’t be handled by traditional rulers.

“I invited the police. The family of the deceased said they had made entries at the Area Command.

“I told them the matter was not within my jurisdiction. Ifeanyichukwu and his father pleaded that I intervene for peace talk. I asked the families of the deceased if they would accept.”

The traditional ruler said the N100,000 which was paid was used to settle police operatives that he invited to handle the case because it was a criminal matter.

According to him, “The statutory requirement in my palace to deliberate on matters is a carton of stout. I didn’t charge him anything.” He however said Ifeanyichukwu was beaten with a cane “but not too much”.

He claimed that, “Ifeanyichukwu held the deceased’s hand and used it to unlock his phone before he died. He also seized the phones.

“The girl that came with them said Ifeanyichukwu unlocked the phone. When Ifeanyichukwu was beaten, he admitted unlocking the phone.”

On the N10m allegation, HRH Ugwuanyi said, “I am not part of that. Both families were negotiating. Ifeanyichukwu, his father and another old man agreed to pay N4m to the family of the deceased, which they refused.

“I am only trying to help Ifeanyi. If he messes up, I will leave the matter, and the case will be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

“I don’t know how Uche died. I don’t have a right to entertain the matter. I am just mediating because they said they want peace talk. We have an appointment tomorrow (Monday),” he stated.

Enugu Man Accuses Traditional Ruler Of Torture, Extorting N10m Over Accident is first published on The Whistler Newspaper