The Enugu State Government has suspended HRH Igwe Eze William Ezugwu, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa-Opi Obgozalla Autonomous Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state.
The suspension was contained in a letter dated September 24, 2026, issued by the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.
In the letter addressed to the monarch, the state government said it had noted with concern what it described as “flagrant violation of extant provisions of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 151, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004.”
The government listed three reasons for the suspension.
According to the letter, the monarch was suspended over his alleged failure to subscribe to the community’s Code of Conduct and failure to establish a cabinet to assist him in running the affairs of Ibagwa-Opi Autonomous Community since its creation four years ago.
The government also accused the traditional ruler of failing to encourage the setting up of a Town Union Executive, which it said had resulted in the autonomous community being run single-handedly.
The third allegation was that the monarch had allegedly engaged in persistent conduct inconsistent with Section 15(d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (n) of the Traditional Rulers Law of Enugu State.
The development comes shortly after former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi reportedly visited the monarch at his palace in Opi, Nsukka, a development that had generated political discussions in the state.
Enugu-based political critic Chijinkem Ugwuanyi had earlier announced the suspension on social media, linking the development to the monarch’s recent interaction with opposition figures.
However, the official suspension letter itself does not state that Peter Obi’s visit was the reason for the action. The reasons expressly stated by the Enugu State Government relate to alleged violations of the Traditional Rulers Law and the administration of the autonomous community.
The suspension letter was signed on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu State.
The development is expected to generate further reactions from the monarch’s community and political stakeholders in Enugu State.
