SWAG Calls For Prosecution Of Imo Monarch, Others For Ostracizing Indigene
The Sisters With Goal Initiative (SWAG), a civil society organization, has urged the arrest and prosecution of the traditional ruler of Umukabia Ogodo Community in the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Emmanuel Ekeh, due to allegations of assault and ostracism against a resident, Mrs. Comfort Chidi Eke.
The organization has also called for similar actions against the witch-doctors (dibias) and personnel of the community’s Homeland Security Outfit, who allegedly participated in the mistreatment of Mrs. Comfort Chidi Eke and her daughter.
In a petition addressed to the State Commissioner of Police and signed by Marjorie Ezihe, SWAG detailed that the attack on the woman and her daughter took place between May 23 and May 25, when the monarch and others forcefully entered the woman’s shop at the community’s largest Nkwonta market. According to Ezihe, the monarch and his associates claimed that the community’s deities had instructed that the shrine be relocated to the vicinity of the woman’s shop.
Mrs. Comfort Chidi Eke’s objection led to an altercation, resulting in her and her daughter being mistreated.
Ezihe provided further details: “The Confrontation: Eze Emmanuel Ekeh, accompanied by six local Dibias (traditional priests) and Homeland Security Operatives, confronted her. They ordered the shops to be closed, alleging that the gods had chosen her location for the relocation of a traditional shrine, previously situated at the farthest central part of the market, away from any shop or stall.
“The group performed libations, incantations, and deposited debris in front of her shop. During this incident, they physically assaulted her daughter, Chinonye, and unlawfully confiscated their mobile phones for two hours before returning them. The Homeland Security Operatives discharged live ammunition into the air, causing panic and fear. After the group departed, Mrs. Comfort and her children cleared and burned the debris left at their shop.
“Subsequently, the Traditional Ruler returned with the Dibias and armed operatives on Monday, May 25, 2026, falsely accusing Mrs. Comfort Chidi Eke of burning his traditional staff of authority (Ofo) along with the debris at her shop.
“The Homeland Security Operatives physically abused the 69-year-old woman and publicly declared her ostracized. They proceeded to her family residence, destroyed her economic trees, food farms, and vegetables, and stacked debris around her house.”
Ezihe further stated that Mrs. Comfort Chidi Eke is currently living in isolation, enduring severe psychological trauma as the community has enforced the ostracism, preventing her from engaging in buying, selling, or participating in any social or communal gatherings.
SWAG emphasized that the assault on the woman is a violation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.
The organization called on the police not only to arrest and prosecute the royal father and his associates but also to nullify the ostracism of the 69-year-old woman.
