Abia Monarch Denies Burial Interference Allegation, Threatens Legal Action

The Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and traditional ruler of AtaIgbo Ukwu Kingdom in Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mbah, has dismissed reports alleging that he prevented Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah from burying his late wife.

The traditional ruler was reacting to a report published on July 15, 2026, by a blogger operating under the name “Dream News,” titled “Man Accuses Traditional Ruler of Stopping Wife’s Burial, Demands Justice.”

The report alleged that Amah, a resident of Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa, accused Eze Mbah of stopping him from burying his wife despite obtaining a court order.

However, speaking with journalists in an interview on Sunday , Eze Mbah described the allegation as untrue, insisting that the claim was a product of the man’s imagination.

The traditional ruler explained that the Umuzomgbo community, through its Chiefs and President General, had directed Amah to report himself to the police following suspicions surrounding the death of his wife. According to him, Amah allegedly declined to honour the directive.

“The community then reported to 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 state CID Umuahia.”

Eze Mbah said the matter remains under police investigation, explaining that the authorities were trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and had requested that an autopsy be conducted.

“Elijah told the police that he has no money for autopsy, the money for autopsy was paid and he (Elijah) refused to go with the pathologist to do the autopsy.

“He informed the police that we don’t do autopsy in our community. This matter is still with the police as we speak.”

Addressing the controversy surrounding the Ezeogo title in Umuzomgbo, Eze Mbah explained that the title was a traditional institution common across Igbo communities, adding that each community had established processes for selecting its village heads.

“For Ezeogo title, it is very common in Igbo land, each community has people that are responsible to produce any village head. In Umuzomgbo, Chief Anthony Aba, former Ezeogo was removed after so many warnings of misconducts.

“Those that installed him removed him based on our traditional rites. An acting Ezeogo is in place and the community is very happy and peaceful for closed to a year now.”

Eze Mbah further announced his intention to take legal action against the owner of “Dream News,” accusing the blogger of damaging his reputation by publishing what he described as an unverified and one-sided account without first seeking his response.

He expressed disappointment that the publisher allegedly failed to verify the claims with the police, community leaders and other relevant authorities before publishing the report.

“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 one-sided report. I have briefed my lawyer. He will meet us in the court,” Eze Mbah stated.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union, Umuzomgbo Ihechiowa, has also rejected the allegations against the traditional ruler, describing the claims aired on some radio stations on July 15, 2026, as baseless and unfounded.

In a statement jointly signed by the President General, Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union, Mr. Frank Kalu Okereke; the Secretary, Comrade James Ogwuo Mark; and the Deputy President General and Chairman, Home Branch, Rev. Moses Azuma Ogbonnaya, the union leadership described Eze Mbah as a highly respected traditional ruler who should not be subjected to unnecessary controversy.

The leadership also dismissed allegations by Amah that the traditional ruler had been non-transparent in matters relating to telecommunications masts in the community.

“We categorically state that these allegations have absolutely no basis in truth. Our EZE has always conducted himself with integrity and honour, and any claims to the contrary are completely false.

“We wish to clarify that the appropriate authorities, including the police and the courts, are currently involved in addressing the matter through the proper legal channels.

“And the said account of the telecom mast have been presented to the union severely and in particular in the Ata Igbo Ukwu development unions enlarged exco meeting held between the 4th and 6th of April 2026 where member appreciated the efforts of HRM in the welfare and progress of the community

“It is laughable that Mr Elijah Ndubuisi Amah who is not a member of any of the union’s branches could lay such claim on the outcome of a meeting he never attained. We urge everyone to respect the legal process and refrain from spreading misinformation or engaging in defamatory behavior.

“To the individual making these baseless accusations: We demand that you present the truth and provide factual evidence to support your claims. Spreading lies and defaming a community leader in the person of our Eze is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the release stated.