The High Court of Enugu State on Monday, November 24, 2025, issued a restraining order against the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the SWAT Commander, CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and other security operatives over alleged unlawful arrests and intimidation of youths from the Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area.
Justice C. O. Ajah, presiding over the case, granted the motion filed by ten youths from the community, Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph Ani Ezeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose, and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka, who represented themselves and other Mburubu youths.
None of the respondents, including the Commissioner of Police, the SWAT Commander, IPO Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi, or community member Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, were present in court.
In Suit No. E/1093m/25, the applicants’ counsel, Barr. Ike Ozor, told the court that the youths were targeted for resisting Onuokaibe’s alleged attempt to unlawfully claim the Igweship stool, in violation of existing court orders.
Ozor explained that a prior ruling in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024 (January 12, 2025) had disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the stool under the community’s rotational provisions.
Another order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 barred him from holding the New Yam Festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.
“Despite these court orders, he went ahead with the festival and continued presenting himself as Igwe-elect,” Ozor told the court.
He alleged that Onuokaibe colluded with the police, especially the SWAT Commander, to arrest ten youths on November 3, detaining and allegedly torturing them for opposing his claim.
Ozor further claimed that the police compiled a list of approximately 70 community leaders to report at the SWAT office, raising fears of additional arrests.
After nearly three weeks in detention, the ten youths were reportedly taken to Onuokaibe’s home, forced to address him as Igwe, and released without conditions.
“This demonstrates that the police knew no offence had been committed,” Ozor said, noting that the complainant himself stood as surety for their release.
Justice Ajah, after hearing the submissions, found that the applicants had shown “sufficient and compelling facts” indicating that their lives and liberties were at risk.
He granted the motion, restraining the police and other respondents from arresting, detaining, harassing, or intimidating the applicants or any member of the Mburubu community until the substantive case is determined.
The judge also announced that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge for continuation.
