Eze Mbah Rejects ‘Burial Block’ Claim, Threatens Libel Suit

His Royal Majesty, Eze Linus Nto Mbah, Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and traditional ruler of AtaIgbo Ukwu Kingdom in Umuzomgbo , Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area, has threatened to sue a news blog for alleged defamation, even as he denied that he was blocking the burial of late Mrs Nkechi Florence Elijah.

The traditional ruler’s denial comes after Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah, the widower, accused him of preventing the burial 15 months after his wife died on April 9, 2025, despite what he claimed was a court order granting him permission.

In a publication by Dream News blog on July 15, 2026, Amah appealed to the Abia State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other authorities to intervene. He alleged that the Eze has continued to stop him from burying his wife, and that members of her family had also submitted statements and an affidavit to Police supporting the release of the remains.

Amah further alleged that the crisis began after he demanded transparency in community affairs, including an account of revenue from two telecommunications masts on community land. He claimed the Eze said about ₦12 million was received over 17 years, and that he personally spent ₦8 million grading farm roads, with the community owing him.

The widower also alleged that he was arrested twice – on April 11, 2025 and again on September 2, 2025, allegedly at the instance of the Eze – and was detained until December 17, 2025, when he was released following a court order. He claimed that some who supported his stand were forced to flee the community, and is insisting on a thorough investigation to enable him to give his late wife a dignified burial.

But Eze Mbah dismissed the allegations as “falsehood and a figment of the man’s imagination.” Speaking to newsmen, he said it was the Umuzomgbo community, led by chiefs and the President General, that directed Amah to report to police over suspicion surrounding his wife’s death.

“The community reported him to the Police for investigation to know the cause of death. The Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, the DPO and all security agencies were contacted,” the monarch said. He added that Police are still investigating and have requested an autopsy, which Amah has allegedly rejected.

On claims that he removed an Eze Ogo for supporting Amah, Eze Mbah said the former chief was removed by those who installed him “based on traditional rites” due to misconduct, and that an acting Eze Ogo is now in place and the community has been peaceful.

The Ataigbo Ukwu Umuzomgbo Development Union also waded in. In a statement signed by President General Frank Kalu Okereke, Secretary James Ogwuo Mark and Deputy PG Rev. Moses Azuma Ogbonnaya, the union described the allegations as “baseless and unfounded.”

“Our EZE has always conducted himself with integrity and honour, and any claims to the contrary are completely false,” the release stated. It added that accounts of the telecom mast were presented to members at an enlarged EXCO meeting in April 2026, and that Amah “is not a member of any of the union’s branches.”

Eze Mbah vowed to sue Dream News, the blog that first published the allegation on July 15, 2026, for “tarnishing his image” with a “one-sided, malicious and unconfirmed” report.