Imo State Council Of Traditional Rulers Suspends Eze Obiefule Over Conferment Of Chieftaincy Title Without Adhering To Laid Down Rules
The Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers has reiterated it’s determination to curb the excesses of some traditional rulers who go about conferring Chieftaincy titles indiscriminately without recourse to due process and laid down rules as stipulated by Law No.15 of Imo State Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters Law 2016 as amended.The Law states that any Traditional Ruler seeking to confer Chieftaincy title on his subjects, friend or associate of his Autonomous Community must adhere to certain guidelines which include writing to the Council for permission or approval to do so, obtain a written approval of the Council which mandatorily would be attached to the Certificate of the conferee and others.
The declaration was made penultimate Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at a well attended meeting of the Council at Ezeimo Palace, Mbari, Owerri.The Council stated that any Chieftaincy title conferred or received from any traditional ruler that fails to comply with the above laid directives will be nullified or revoked and the conferee refunded any money paid for that purpose by the affected traditional ruler.It further reaffirmed the nullity of any title conferred by an Eze-Elect,Eze on suspension,an Eze outside his palace or Autonomous Community and a self acclaimed Eze (impersonating Eze) and warned stern consequences which include prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Council directed that every traditional ruler should stick to the guidelines and warned that violation of the directives by any Eze stands the risk of suspension or stricter sanctions from the State Council.
Citing available evidence of non conformity with the laid down rules showing that HRM Eze Thomas Obiefule, the Zonal Chairman of Orlu Zone Council of Traditional Rulers conferred Chieftaincy titles to some individuals in the State, the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers wielded the big stick and announced his suspension with immediate effect and all Chieftaincy titles conferred by him on 5th April,2026 revoked and declared null and void.It added that the measure will serve as a deterrent to others.