Ebonyi Community Youths Protest Alleged Mismanagement of Communal Funds, Demand Investigation

A group of aggrieved youths from Oroke Onuoha Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the Ebonyi State Police Headquarters in Abakaliki, demanding a comprehensive investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, unlawful arrests and disputes surrounding communal land administration in the area.

The protesters called on the Ebonyi State Government, security agencies and relevant authorities to intervene in what they described as a prolonged leadership and accountability crisis within the community.

At the centre of the allegations are the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness Eze Sunday Oketa and his son, Prince Friday Oketa, whom the demonstrators accused of actions they claim have generated tension and division among residents.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters alleged that revenues generated from communal assets, development levies and other sources had been managed without sufficient transparency or accountability to community members.

They further claimed that residents who questioned the administration of community resources were allegedly subjected to intimidation, harassment and arrests.

Some protesters also alleged that certain individuals were wrongfully labelled as members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a claim they described as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Mr. Omerigwe Ogbonna said community members had sought legal redress after years of frustration over what they considered abuse of authority and lack of accountability.

According to him, the matter is currently before a competent court, which recently adjourned proceedings to July 5, 2026, following an application by the defendants requesting additional time to prepare their defence. 

Ogbonna alleged that shortly after the court session, some members of the group were arrested by operatives of a state anti-crime unit within the court premises.

He dismissed allegations that those arrested were cultists, insisting that the accusations were intended to intimidate individuals pursuing justice through legal channels.

“Our lawyer followed the matter, but we were surprised by the allegations levelled against our members. We believe the arrests were meant to discourage us from seeking lawful redress,” he said. 

Another resident, Mr. Chukwuma Eric, alleged that communal lands had been sold without the knowledge or approval of critical stakeholders within the community.

He further claimed that proceeds from such transactions, alongside revenues generated from rents and development levies, had not been adequately accounted for over the years.

The protesters said they had previously submitted petitions to several government institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Security, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the Ebonyi Local Government Council and the Ebonyi State Police Command.

However, they expressed disappointment that their complaints had yet to receive what they considered sufficient attention from relevant authorities.

They appealed to the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, security agencies and oversight institutions to investigate the allegations and facilitate a peaceful and transparent resolution of the dispute.

 The demonstrators maintained that their protest remained peaceful and was intended solely to draw public attention to concerns surrounding community governance, accountability and the management of communal assets.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain official reactions from Eze Sunday Oketa and Prince Friday Oketa were unsuccessful.