Abusinessman, Mr Olisaemeka Igbonwa, from Alor community, in the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, who was reportedly buried alive, has petitioned the police over the incident.
Igbonwa said the action did not only destabilise his family, but damaged his reputation as his associates and friends had stopped transacting business with him, describing him as a ‘ghost’.
He stated this when he visited the state police command, Awka, on Tuesday, to lodge a formal complaint on the incident.
Igbonwa was accused of illegally conferring on himself a chieftaincy title, ‘Ichie Ngene’, an action the community felt was not within his rights.
A mock burial was later conducted by some community elders, as a coffin with his name on it was buried in a forest.
Igbonwa claimed that it was not true that he took the title by himself, adding that a traditional ruler in the community, who was certified by the state government, conferred the title on him.
He said, “A group of notorious people in the community, led by my senior brother, gathered themselves and dug a grave in the forest and said they were burying me alive. I am seeking legal redress in this matter because it has caused me a lot of damage; my business associates no longer transact business with me; they now call me a ghost. Some have even blocked me from their lines.
“The title of Ichie Ngene III that I was accused of taking by myself was conferred on me. That title was declared vacant for three years; the former holder refused to present himself to the new Igwe for recognition after the former Igwe died as tradition demands. By so doing, he ruled himself out of the title, thereby making it vacant. After the Igwe crowned me, this notorious gang gathered themselves and formulated an emergency law that anyone who takes a title that belongs to another person should be buried alive, claiming our forefathers made the law. All are lies.
“I want the law to take its course by bringing these people to book. Their action has really damaged my reputation and they must sign an undertaking that if anything happens to me, they will be held responsible.”
The state police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, urged the public to ignore reports that Igbonwa was buried alive.
He said, “We have received his complaints and the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, has ordered full investigation into the matter. All the persons mentioned will be invited for questioning to ascertain what really happened.”
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