The burial of His Royal Highness, Eze Samuel Ajiri, the late traditional ruler of Ntalakwu-Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, has become a source of growing tension, following a dispute among family members and traditional authorities over the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to official correspondence sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by representatives of the monarch’s immediate family and traditional council, concerns were raised about the cause of Eze Ajiri’s death. The petition called for an autopsy before burial rites are carried out, citing unresolved questions regarding the monarch’s final days.
The late monarch’s wife, Ugoeze Chinwe Ajiri, denied any wrongdoing and stated in an interview that she had never objected to an autopsy. She claimed she requested assurances that, if no wrongdoing was found, her reputation would be protected and damages for defamation addressed. According to her, this condition was misunderstood and led to a breakdown in communication between family factions.
Ugoeze Ajiri also recounted a troubling episode involving law enforcement. She alleged she was taken from her residence in Port Harcourt by men identifying themselves as police officers from Abuja. However, she was subsequently detained at Zone 9 Police Command in Umuahia. During her nine-day detention, she said she was denied legal representation and confronted with a petition accusing her of foul play in her husband’s death.
She also reported that law enforcement officials conducted a search of her home without presenting a warrant, during which they demanded documents related to the late monarch’s estate. The family residence, she said, was ransacked in the process. She further alleged financial extortion and stated she was released only after paying a substantial sum to officers involved.
Following these events, Ugoeze Ajiri submitted a formal petition to authorities in Abuja. The matter was reportedly transferred to the Police Zonal Command in Enugu for further investigation. However, according to the widow, the directives for a proper hearing have not been followed by either the Zone 9 Command or the original petitioners.
The matter has since been escalated to the Police Service Commission, which is currently reviewing the allegations, although no formal decision on the burial has been announced. As a result, the remains of Eze Ajiri have yet to be interred, causing continued unrest in the community.
This development underscores ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s justice and traditional systems, where family disputes, law enforcement actions, and cultural rites intersect. The delayed burial of a community monarch due to internal strife highlights broader issues of trust in institutions, due process, and the need for transparency in resolving sensitive matters.
Community sources indicate that internal family disagreements have further complicated the situation. The monarch’s first son, Prince Dike Ajiri, who resides abroad, through his legal representatives, has insisted on an autopsy conducted only at the hospital where the monarch was treated, and in the presence of close family members.
Legal representation for Prince Dike, through a petition filed by Mr. Joseph Igwe of M. O. Ubani SAN & Co., expressed concerns over the delay in the announcement of the monarch’s death and pressed for clarity regarding the medical cause of death.
