CLARIFIES ISSUES ON BURIAL INTERFERENCE CLAIM, THREATENS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST BLOGGER OVER FALSE REPORT
The Chairman Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and traditional ruler of AtaIgbo Ukwu Kingdom in Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa, Arochukwu LGA, HRM Eze Linus Nto Mbah has described the report by a blogger that he is preventing one Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah of his community from burying his late wife as totally false and an act of irresponsible journalism.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, Eze Mbah dismissed the allegation, describing it as falsehood and a figment of the man’s imagination.
Eze Mbah however explained that it was the Umuzomgbo community led by the Chiefs and President General of the community that told Elijah to report himself to the police as he is being suspected to have killed his wife, of which he refused to report himself to the police.
“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 CID Umuahia .
According to the Royal Father, the case is with the police who want to identify the cause of the death of the wife of the accused and requested for an autopsy.
“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.
“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.
The traditional ruler vowed to sue the owner of the blog “Dream News ” for tarnishing his image by refusing to hear from him before publishing his unverified one-sided online story. He noted with regrets that the so called online reporter could not do due diligence and confirm reports from the police and other community leadership as well as related bodies before going public.
“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.
In their reaction, the leadership of the Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union
Umuzomgbo Ihechiowa described the allegation leveled against their traditional ruler, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, and aired on some radio stations on 15th July 2026 as baseless and unfounded
In a release jointly endorsed by the President General, Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union Mr Frank Kalu Okereke, the Secretary, Comrade James Ogwuo Mark and Deputy President General and Chairman Home Branch, Rev. Moses Azuma Ogbonnaya, the leadership noted that their traditional ruler is a highly respected traditional ruler and should not be dragged into unnecessary controversy, noting that the claims by Amah that the royal father is not transparent in the dealings with tele communication mast is false and unacceptable.
“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.
Recall, the blogger with the name, “Dream News” had on July 15, 2026 allegedly published a one-sided malicious, false and unconfirmed news story with the title “Man Accuses Traditional Ruler of Stopping Wife’s Burial, Demands Justice”, where he wrote that one Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah, a resident of Umuzomgbo, Ihechiowa in Arochukwu LGA had accused the traditional ruler of preventing him from burying the wife, despite a court order.
