By Austin Ogwuda
… Asagba of Asaba strips him of his Alor title for life, bars him from contesting for the Iyase (Prime Minister)
… orders the Police to prosecute him on the alleged criminal aspect of it
Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju (aka Akwazia) of Ogbeosowe Village, Ugbomenta Quarters, Asaba, Delta State has been stripped of his Alor title for life and barred from participating in the contest for the Iyase stool for allegedly stealing the Ikenga Iyase Ahaba.
This was contained in Asagba official Facebook page, weekend .
According to the report, Ogbueshi Onwufuju was allegedly accused of storming the home of Obi P.I.G. Onyeobi at about 2.00 am in the early hours of Friday with some armed men and made away with the Ikenga Iyase Ahaba domiciled at the residence of the late Iyase Ahaba, Obi P.I.G. Onyeobi of Idumuojei Village, Umuezei Quarters, Asaba.
Culturally, as established, ‘Ikenga’, in essence represents more than a mere artefact; it embodies the interconnectedness of authority, strength, ancestral guidance and personal/communal support and held in sacredness especially among the traditionalists.
The last holder of the title Iyase (Prime Minister) of Ahaba (Asaba) was late Obi Patrick Isioma Goodluck Onyeobi, an illustrious son of Asaba.
As a result of the incident, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge, instantly convoked an emergency Asagba Executive Council Meeting, comprising of the Okpala Ukwu of the five Quarters of Asaba, the Traditional Chiefs, host of Ndi Obi Ahaba, host of NdiOlinzele, Palace Secretariat Staff etc, which sole agendum was to deliberate on the next line of action.
Members of the Council took time to deliberate and evaluate the matter critically and came up with the conclusion that Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju’s action was not only abominable but also condemnable.
The Council therefore resolved to treat it with heavy sanction to serve as a deterrent to others in future. It was also taken as stealing or rather armed robbery, so much so, as the procedural guideline for the selection of the next Iyase Ahaba which ought to commence with a communication from the Palace to the people of Ugbomenta is yet to be initiated.
“Based on all the available compelling facts, the Council adopted the following resolutions:
1. That Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju (aka Akwazia) be given 24 hours starting from today the 12th day of December, 2025 to immediately return the Ikenga Iyase which he forcefully removed from Obi P.I.G. Onyeobi’s residence in Idumuojei Village.
2. That he must personally return the Ikenga to where he removed it from and also perform the necessary cleansing and atonements such slaughtering of a ram and performance of other needed sacrifices.
3. That immediately he returns the stolen Ikenga to where he removed it from, he ceases to be a member of the prestigious Alor Title holders in Asaba.
4. That he is henceforth disqualified from contesting, vying or rather aspiring to any traditional office in Asaba, including that of the Iyase stool.
5. It was also resolved that the Nigerian Police Force be given free hand to prosecute him in line with extant laws of the land for stealing and unlawful possession of firearm.
6. That any Asaba person found to be complicit either by aiding, abating, supporting, cheering or directly connected with Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju in carrying out the dastardly act is liable to a fine of N500,000.00. (Five hundred thousand naira) only.
7. That Obi Chiedu Chichi who was seen with Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju and who has openly confessed of supporting him with the act, is instantly striped off his title as an Obi Ahaba for a period of one year, on the expiration of which he is to pay the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two million naira) only and two live cows to Asagba in Council.
8. The Council thereafter, agreed to send 2 emissaries from amongst them to visit Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju, to inform him of their decision and the window of time opened to him to comply. The delegation came back with the information that Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju blatantly refused to abide by the decision of the Asagba Executive Council.
“Based on the report from the delegation sent to meet with Ogbueshi Ndubuisi Onwufuju, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge SAN, in exercise of his powers as the prescribed authority in Asaba native law and custom striped Ndubuisi Onwufuju of his Alor Title for life. He also issued a decree barring him from contesting for the Iyase or any other traditional office in Asaba for his lifetime.
“Finally, His Royal Majesty has directed that the police should pursue the prosecution of charges to a logical conclusion”, the post further stated.
Credit: PGSNews
