KINGSLEY EBERE
The Enugu State Government has formally denied issuing a certificate of recognition to Chukwuemeka Ugwunta as the Traditional Ruler of Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno, stating that the stool remains vacant and no selection has been concluded.
The clarification was contained in an official letter dated 1 June, 2026 with Ref No. ENSG/MCA/LD/39/2026 from the Office of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by Dr. Charles O.C Egumgbe.
The letter was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) Annex, Agbani Road, Enugu, in response to a Police inquiry dated 22/5/2026.
According to the correspondence, the Police requested verification on four key areas: the authenticity of attached documents, the current status of the traditional stool, whether the community has a certified ruler, and if a certificate of recognition had been issued to *Chief Chukwuemeka Ugwunta.
In its reply, the Ministry confirmed that the documents attached to the Police letter “emanated from the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu State”.
On the leadership of the community, the Commissioner stated: “The Traditional Ruler Stool of Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno is vacant as nobody has been selected to occupy the stool.”
The letter further emphasized: “The Community has no Certified Traditional Ruler.”
Specifically addressing Chukwuemeka Ugwunta, the Ministry stated clearly: “No Certificate of Traditional Ruler has been issued to Chief Chukwuemeka Ugwunta.”
The communication is connected to an ongoing Police investigation into allegations of criminal conspiracy, promoting local war, serious threat to life, impersonation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace* within Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno.
The Ministry urged the Police to use the official document to “stop the impersonation as reported to your office” and to guide further actions in the matter.
Government officials have advised stakeholders in the community to adhere strictly to due process and provisions of Enugu State chieftaincy laws in the selection of a new traditional ruler.
Security agencies in the state said investigations are still ongoing to ensure peace, law and order in Agbaja Umumba Ndiuno pending the emergence of a duly recognized traditional ruler through the proper channels.
This report is based on official correspondence from the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs dated 1 June 2026. All allegations remain under investigation.
