Anambra Threatens Arrest, Prosecution of Unrecognised Traditional Rulers

The Anambra State Government has warned that anyone who unlawfully parades himself as the traditional ruler of a community without official recognition and certification will be arrested and prosecuted.

The warning was issued by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Chief Vincent Ezeaka, in a letter addressed to Presidents General of town unions across the state on Thursday.

The letter, titled “Unlawful Assumption of Office and Parading as Traditional Ruler by Persons not Recognized by the Anambra State Government,” followed reports of individuals allegedly presenting themselves as traditional rulers without the required government recognition.

Ezeaka said the government had received reports that some individuals were allegedly parading themselves as traditional rulers, allowing themselves to be addressed with reserved traditional titles and performing functions legally assigned to recognised traditional rulers.

He warned that such conduct constitutes an offence punishable by imprisonment under the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State.

The commissioner stressed that only individuals who have been duly selected, appointed and formally recognised by the state government in accordance with the law are entitled to occupy the office of a traditional ruler or perform functions associated with the position.

“In view of the reports received so far, the Anambra State Government has taken a decision to prosecute every person who unlawfully parades himself as a traditional ruler, assumes a reserved title, or performs the functions of a traditional ruler,” Ezeaka said.

He urged Presidents General of town unions to report suspected cases of unlawful assumption of traditional rulership to the appropriate authorities.

“Accordingly, you are requested to submit complaints to this Ministry and the Ministry of Justice against any person in your community who is parading himself as a traditional ruler contrary to the provisions of the law,” he added.

The latest directive underscores the Anambra government's renewed effort to enforce the legal framework governing traditional institutions and curb disputes arising from competing claims to traditional stools across communities.

The government said the warning applies to anyone who assumes or performs the functions of a traditional ruler without fulfilling the statutory requirements for recognition under state law.