The Traditional Ruler of Ikenga Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Chinonso Vitus Ezeokafor, is scheduled to be arraigned before the State High Court sitting in Ekwulobia on July 19 over allegations of forgery, impersonation, and related offences.
The case is between the Anambra State Government and Chinonso Vitus Ezeokafor, the traditional ruler of Ikenga Community in Aguata LGA.
According to reports, Ezeokafor, during the process leading to the selection of the traditional ruler of Ikenga, allegedly presented two forged West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). He is also accused of manipulating his age to gain eligibility to sit for another WAEC examination in 2024.
Ikenga Community has been embroiled in a prolonged chieftaincy dispute over who should occupy the traditional stool of the town.
Other aspirants to the throne had alleged that Ezeokafor failed to meet the stipulated guidelines for contesting the position.
Despite the objections raised by other contenders, he was eventually declared elected as the traditional ruler, a development that reportedly deepened disagreements among his fellow aspirants.
According to Charge No. A/12C/2025 filed before the High Court of Anambra State sitting in Ekwulobia, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State, Mr. F. C. Okeke, through the Ministry of Justice, Awka, instituted a six-count charge against the monarch.
The charges against Ezeokafor border on allegations of conspiracy, certificate forgery, uttering false documents, false declaration, fraudulent misrepresentation, and perjury.
The prosecution alleges that he presented two forged WAEC certificates and subsequently altered his age in order to gain an advantage to sit for another WAEC examination in 2024.
Part of the charge sheet reads:
“The Court is informed by the Honourable Attorney-General of Anambra State, on behalf of the State, that Chinonso Vitus Ezeokafor is charged with the following offences.”
Count One: Conspiracy
The charge alleges that Ezeokafor and others, sometime in 2023 at Ikenga Town within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired to commit felony offences including forgery, uttering of false documents, false declaration, fraudulent misrepresentation, and perjury, contrary to Section 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991.
Count Two: Forgery
The second count alleges that Ezeokafor, in 2023 at Ikenga Town, forged a West African School Certificate Result bearing Examination Number 40815040322, purportedly belonging to one Ogboji Agnes, with the intent to defraud and obtain undue advantage. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 443(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991 (as amended).
Other counts include allegations of uttering false documents, making false declarations and statements contrary to Section 117 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991 (as amended).
The charge sheet further alleges that Ezeokafor committed perjury contrary to Section 146 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991 (as amended). It states that in 2023, within the jurisdiction of the court, he swore an affidavit at the High Court Registry, Onitsha, affirming that all documents submitted to the Ikenga Town Union Executive and the Igweship Selection Committee were genuine and authentic, despite allegedly containing forged WAEC certificates and other false documents.
According to the prosecution, this amounted to a false representation made under oath, which the accused allegedly knew to be untrue.
The suit also cites offences contrary to Section 444 of the Criminal Code, Cap 36, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Anambra State, 1991.
It would be recalled that some aspirants had earlier alleged that Ezeokafor was initially disqualified by the Igweship Selection Committee but subsequently secured approval, leading to his election and installation as the Igwe of Ikenga.
Following a petition submitted by prominent and concerned members of Ikenga Community to the Nigerian Police Force Zonal Headquarters, Zone 13, Ukpo, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police reportedly ordered an investigation into the matter.
Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the police authorities allegedly recommended that Chinonso Vitus Ezeokafor be prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Based on the outcome of the police investigation, the Office of the Attorney-General reviewed the case and subsequently filed an information before the High Court of Justice, Ekwulobia, seeking the arraignment of the accused.
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