The Traditional Council and Community Development Union of a locality in Nigeria’s Abia State, Okon-Aku autonomous community in Ohafia Local Government Area (LGA), have threatened to head to court for redress over what they described as acts of criminal defamation by those allegedly aiding and abetting perpetrators of a crisis which rocked the community on 2-3 January, 2026.
During the widely reported crisis, one life was lost while properties were destroyed with several persons displaced.
In a statement signed by Chief U.E. Udensi, for Okon-Aku Traditional Rulers Council/Nnaka IV Cabinet, and Comrade Okorie Kama for Okon-Aku Development Union president, issued at the weekend, the community stated that while it was still grieving its losses, those it described as non-indigenes to the community and not resident there, went to town with misleading information that,among others, Okon-Aku has no recognized traditional ruler.
But the traditional council and development union stated: “This deliberate false claim is entirely defamatory, derogatory, and misleading, constituting a direct affront to the dignity and collective existence of our community.
“Nnaka IV of Okon-Aku, HRH Eze Engr. Ndukwe Iko, was duly installed in 2024 as the Traditional Ruler, officially recognized and presented with a Certificate and Staff of Office by the Abia State Government. He is a recognized member of the Ohafia LGA Traditional Rulers’ Council, Abia North Traditional Rulers’ Council and Abia State Traditional Rulers’ Council.
“Meanwhile, Ezeogo Bernard Kama Igomini is the Ezeogo Okon-Aku and member of the Ohafia Council of Monarchs headed by Udumeze. The Okon-Aku Ezeogo in Council, under Ezeogo Bernard Igomini Kama, has been performing legitimate functions, and no court of competent jurisdiction has issued any restraining order regarding his authority.”
The community leaders further expressed their total support for the Abia State government’s administrative panel of enquiry presently investigating the crisis even as they backed the deployment of armed security agents who have made some arrests in the area.
The leaders deplored the attitude of those it alleged were not disposed to the State government’s actions, saying such persons are “neither an indigene nor a resident of Okon-Aku or Ohafia LGA” and “cannot comprehend or share in the grief of bereaved, butchered, and displaced families.”
“We reaffirm that Okon-Aku remains committed to justice, peace, and healing. We will continue to work closely with the Abia State Government, all security agencies, and the Administrative Panel of Inquiry to ensure the perpetrators of this tragedy are brought to justice.
“We also reiterate that all defamatory claims against the Okon-Aku Traditional Stool and the community, will be met with appropriate legal actions,” they stated.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State.
