An Enugu State High Court has issued a significant restraining order against security operatives, prohibiting further arrests and intimidation of youths from Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Council.
Court Intervention in Community Crisis
Justice C.O. Ajah delivered the ruling following an urgent application filed by ten Mburubu community youths who alleged persistent persecution by police authorities. The applicants, representing themselves and other community youths, included Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph AniEzeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka.
The court order specifically restrains the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT), CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and other security personnel from carrying out further arrests, detention, harassment, or intimidation against the applicants or any Mburubu community member.
Background of the Legal Battle
According to the applicants' counsel, Ike Ozor, the crisis stems from an unlawful attempt by community member Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe to install himself as the Igwe of Mburubu despite existing court orders prohibiting his candidacy.
Ozor informed the court that a previous judgment in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024, delivered on January 12, 2025, had disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the Igweship stool based on rotational provisions in the community's constitution. Additionally, a subsequent order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 restrained him from holding a new yam festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.
"Despite these clear court orders, he went ahead to hold the festival and has continued to parade himself as Igwe-elect," Ozor told the court.
Alleged Police Complicity and Brutality
The legal counsel revealed disturbing details of alleged police misconduct, stating that ten community youths were arrested on November 3, 2025, following Onuokaibe's collaboration with SWAT operatives.
"They were tortured, brutalised and detained for weeks, simply because they opposed his unlawful claim to the stool," Ozor asserted during court proceedings.
More alarming was the revelation that police had compiled a list of approximately 70 community leaders and ordered them to report to the SWAT office, raising concerns about potential mass arrests.
After nearly three weeks in detention, the arrested youths were allegedly taken from the SWAT office to Onuokaibe's residence, where they were forced to address him as Igwe before being released without conditions.
"This shows the police knew they committed no offence," Ozor emphasized, noting that the complainant himself stood as surety for their release.
Judicial Response and Future Proceedings
After considering the submissions, Justice Ajah determined that the applicants had presented "sufficient and compelling facts" demonstrating that their lives and liberties were genuinely at risk.
The judge granted the motion, effectively restraining the police and other respondents from further actions against the Mburubu community members pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In a significant procedural move, Justice Ajah announced he would return the case to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge of his choice, ensuring impartial continuation of the legal process.
Speaking with reporters outside the courtroom, some victims shared their experiences. Ezeh Elijah disclosed that he was arrested at Agbani Police station while attempting to bail another detained community youth, falsely accused of firearm possession.
The victims uniformly alleged they were being persecuted for refusing to participate in the controversial new yam celebrations held on November 1, 2025, in defiance of court orders.
