IGP Orders Probe Of popular Nigerian Monarch Over Allegations Of Forgery, Criminal Records
IGP Orders Probe Of popular Nigerian Monarch Over Allegations Of Forgery, Criminal Records
The directive followed a petition addressed to the IGP by retired Colonel Charles C. Egbo, who accused the leader, Mr. Aloysius Chidozie Ogbonna of false claims, impersonation, and alleged concealment of a prior criminal conviction in South Africa.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a full-scale investigation into allegations surrounding a traditional ruler in Enugu State, following a petition by concerned residents of Ogugu ancient kingdom in the Awgu Local Government Area.
An official correspondence from the IGP (Reference: CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.829/134) seen by SaharaReporters confirmed that the IGP directed the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to investigate the matter.
In the letter signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, the Enugu Annex of the FCID was instructed to “deal in line with the extant directives on investigation,” signalling the commencement of a formal police probe into the controversy.
The directive followed a petition addressed to the IGP by retired Colonel Charles C. Egbo, who accused the leader, Mr. Aloysius Chidozie Ogbonna of false claims, impersonation, and alleged concealment of a prior criminal conviction in South Africa.
The petition urged the Nigeria Police Force to intervene urgently to prevent what the petitioner described as a looming crisis in the community.
According to the petition, Ogbonna allegedly served a seven-year prison term in South Africa for drug-related offences and was therefore constitutionally barred from contesting the Igweship stool under the Ogugu community’s gazetted constitution.
The petition further alleged that despite the disqualifications, Ogbonna emerged from what was described as a flawed selection process and subsequently conducted what residents termed a “deceptive” coronation on January 2, 2025, without obtaining the mandatory Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office approved by the Enugu State Governor.
Central to the police investigation is a Certificate of Recognition reportedly presented by the monarch in April 2025. Petitioners allege the document was a “blank sheet certificate” lacking the governor’s signature and proper authorisation.
“On 24th April, 2025, another scenario was displayed whereby blank sheet certificate of recognition, undocumented and unsigned by the Governor was showcased before public domain said to have come from the State Government… Sir, I humbly request that the Blank Sheet Certificate Of Recognition (attached) be investigated to unearth the scam and deceit inherent. Imagine, in a space of four months, two coronations of one and same is suspicious,” Egbo wrote.
However, the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development has stood by Ogbonna.
The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Ifeoma, told SaharaReporters that the certificate issued was “genuine” and was presented to him both at the Ministry and in his hometown.
“The certificate is genuine. The certificate of Recognition was presented to him at the Ministry and even in his home town,” she said.
Despite this, some community residents maintain that the certificate is a “dummy” and that the ongoing investigation at the FCID Enugu has caused delays in charging the matter to court.
Residents are urging the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to unearth the controversy around the document, claiming that the community is being “swindled.”
Calls by SaharaReporters to get the Igwe Ogbonna’s reactions were unanswered. He also has yet to get back as of the time of filing this report.
If the police investigation confirms the petitioner’s claims regarding the falsification of the certificate or the concealment of a criminal record, Mr. Ogbonna could face charges for impersonation and forgery.
