An Anambra State High Court sitting at Umunze, Orumba South Council area has ordered Barrister Kenneth Maduka who until now had been parading and putting himself forward as the traditional ruler of Umuchukwu, to stop forthwith or face the consequences.
Already a contempt process has been filled against him, the community ‘s President General and two others.
Moreso the court noted that a pending case which to determine when to fix the selection process of Igwe of Umuchukwu has not concluded the final determination of the suit before it.
The court presided over by Honourable Justice Jude Obiora after painstakingly listening to the arguments by the parties in the suit before it between Hon Emeka Onwusoronye and others Vs Barrister Kenneth Maduka, Emeka Adunchezor( the President General of Umuchukwu community), and Mgbike Two, as defendants) for an illegal act on April 6,2026 purporting same to be lawful chieftaincy election/selection process into the Umuchukwu Royal stool. Whereas no such selection process by the community had been conducted.
The court had consequently set aside their actions, pursuant to an action already brought before the court by Hon Emeka Onwusoronye (plaintiff) in suit ref HOS/23/2026, sequel to an earlier order of March 31,2026 which put the election/selection on hold.
According to the court, “…this honourable court will not sustain and encourage the propagation of anarchy or invitation to lawlessness as that will erode the rule of law, compromise sanctity of judicial process and destabilize the society.
“Since the parties are in agreement that there was a clear act of disobedience to the orders of this court made on March 31,2026 by the conduct of a sham and purported election into the Umuchukwu Royal stool on April 6,2026 in gross defiance to the Orders of this Honourable Court, the said election is bound to be set aside and accordingly declared null and void…”
The court therefore nullified the election as being null and void.
The Court also in its copious pronounced prohibited Maduka from parading himself as the Igwe-elect of Umuchukwu or presenting himself to the State Government for the presentation of Certificate of Recognition until the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice. The court also ordered him or any of agents from holding out or performing acts of a legally authorized traditional ruler (Igwe).
According to the plaintiff who addressed journalists on the ruling, the court’s position elicited joy and excitement in the community as the illegal foisting of Maduka on the community as per their actions of April 6,2026 had brought gloom on the entire community.
The defendants declined comments even when calls were made to them.
Onwusoronye raised an alarm today, after the court proceeding to that despite the order of court that Maduka was preparing himself for the celebration of New Yam festival on Friday, Sept 25, 2026.
This, he pointed out was an exclusive preserve of a duly selected and certified traditional ruler. He cautioned that Maduka could be throwing the entire Umuchukwu (Nkerehi) community into an avoidable chaos.
He therefore called on the state government and the law enforcement authorities to intervene to avoid the likely imminent crises and calamity.
