ANAMBRA State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to individuals parading themselves as traditional rulers without official recognition, declaring that they will face arrest and prosecution.
The Governor, speaking through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Ezeaka, directed all unauthorised claimants to traditional stools to desist forthwith or risk legal action under the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.
In a letter dated 22nd July 2026, addressed to Presidents-General of town unions across the state, the Commissioner urged residents and community leaders to report any persons unlawfully assuming traditional titles or performing functions reserved exclusively for recognised traditional rulers.
According to the government, the directive follows intelligence reports of individuals allegedly portraying themselves as traditional rulers, permitting themselves to be addressed as such, or carrying out ceremonial functions legally designated for duly recognised monarchs.
The government emphasised that under the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State, 2007, only a person duly selected, appointed and formally recognised by the state government is entitled to function as, or present himself as, the recognised traditional ruler of a community.
The statement noted that the law criminalises the act of parading as a traditional ruler without the Governor’s recognition, making it a punishable offence with terms of imprisonment.
“Any person who has not been recognised by the Governor as a traditional ruler and parades himself as one, permits himself to be portrayed or addressed as a traditional ruler, or performs any function reserved for a recognised traditional ruler, is committing a criminal offence,” the government reiterated.
Consequently, the state government has announced its decision to prosecute individuals found to be violating the provisions of the law.
To this end, the Commissioner directed Presidents-General of town unions to submit formal complaints to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry of Justice against offenders within their communities.
The move is seen as part of the Soludo administration’s efforts to uphold the integrity of the traditional institution and ensure that only legally recognised monarchs wield authority in Anambra communities.
