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The Akpakwume Ancient Kingdom in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State has been engulfed in a prolonged crisis since May 2023, The MeridianSpy can exclusively report. At the center of this festering conflict is one Livinus Okolo, popularly known as Zion, a former self imposed Prime Minister (Onowu) of the community.
According to community sources, Mr. Okolo has been linked to multiple cases of forgery, fraud, intimidation, assault, and orchestrated armed attacks all in a bid to consolidate control over Akpakwume.
Backed by elements within the state government, Mr. Okolo, our source confirmed, has held the community hostage for over two years, with no effort by the Peter Mbah-led administration to check his excesses. Residents and petition suggest that some officials within the Enugu State Government, including the Speaker, of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, have been shielding him, allowing him to act with impunity.
On 23rd August 2025, a formal petition was filed by Godwin Ogbo Esq., counsel to the people of Akpakwume, detailing Mr. Okolo’s alleged criminal activities. The petition, seen by The MeridianSpy, documented cases of harassment, intimidation, assault, use of neighbours and forest guards to attack indigenes. Other allegations include forgery, illegal financial dealings, and attacks on the traditional ruler HRH Igwe Nwokolo Odenigbo (Ohaneze II of Akpakwume) and community members. The petitioners also called on the state government to investigate and prosecute Mr. Okolo and his collaborators.
Land Forgery and Abuse of Community Resources
According to the petition filed, Mr. Okolo forged an Irrevocable Power of Attorney on 15th August 2019, signing on behalf of both living and deceased community members, including the traditional ruler and other elders. He was also accused of forging a letter in 2017 in which he falsely claimed to have been appointed the traditional ruler of Akpakwume.
Some community members who spoke to The Meridianspy, further alleged that Zion extorts residents by demanding ₦20,000 per tree cut and interferes with private land transactions, insisting that such lands belong to the state government since he enjoys official backing.
In 2022, Zion allegedly posed as a town planning official and attempted to demolish a fence belonging to Mr. Fredrick Ugodu. In December 2023, he reportedly attempted to withdraw ₦105 million from the community’s Zenith Bank account. The attempt was thwarted after the community alerted Udi Local Government authorities through a disclaimer letter.
Election Interference and Palace Invasion
The Town Union election of 2nd May 2023 was marred by violence when Mr. Okolo’s supporters tore up election results and threatened ministry officials after his preferred candidate lost to Mr. Callistus Azubuike Okonkwo. The Ministry of Rural Development headed by the then commissioner Barr. Kingsley Udeh ((SAN) now the Attorney General of Enugu State was forced to declare the election inconclusive.
A rerun, was however, fixed to be conducted on December 29, 2023 after the community had paid all the money to the ministry, Mr. Okolo presented a falsified consensus letter, claiming it had the approval of the Igwe-in-Council. Despite community objections, ministry officials accepted the letter. Instead of conducting the election, he presented a 5-man committee from those who lost the election that was conducted on 2nd May, to the ministry and the commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo swore them in against the interest of the community.
When his 8-year tenure as the self imposed Onowu elapsed in October 2024, Mr. Okolo allegedly altered the community’s constitution to make the position a lifetime appointment. On 23rd October 2024, he reportedly led armed men to invade the palace of the traditional ruler, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo. The attackers seized the staff of office and certificate of recognition, assaulted the King’s wife, and a guest, causing chaos in the palace.
After the attack on traditional ruler, the commissioner for Chieftaincy Deacon Okey Ogbodo aired on radio that the Igwe’s Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition was in his custody at the ministry. The Meridianspy confirmed that the 86 years-old traditional ruler and his son were subsequently detained by police, while Zion continued to operate freely in the guise of state protection. Consequently, the Onowu and four others were detained as well. As at the time of reportage, another member of the community is still in detention awaiting trial owing to the saga.
Armed Attacks, Intimidation, and Alleged State Protection
According to our source, between 13th and 14th August 2025, Mr. Okolo aka Zion imported armed men from neighbouring states alongside some Enugu State neighbourhood watchmen in Akpakwume to attack Akpakwume residents who resisted his illegal activities. Video footage obtained by The MeridianSpy, showed weapons, ammunition, machetes, and charms recovered from the attackers, who confessed on record that Mr. Okolo who obviously enjoys supports from the Peter Mbah led-government, had hired them.
The petition filed by Godwin Ogbo Esq. on behalf of the Akpakwume community emphasized that Mr. Okolo has leveraged support from the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration, particularly through the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs Deacon Okey Ogbodo, and the Enugu State Police Command, to shield himself from justice.
Community’s Call for Justice
The people of Akpakwume are calling for an immediate investigation and prosecution to halt Mr. Okolo’s alleged criminal activities and restore peace, law, and traditional authority in their land. They also demand that Governor Mbah’s administration stop backing the crisis and allow justice to prevail.
The petition of 23rd August 2025 reflects the community’s resolve to end the cycle of harassment, fraud, and violence, and urges authorities to ensure accountability not just for Mr. Okolo aka Zion, but also for the state actors enabling him. Efforts made by The MeridianSpy to reach Mr. Nnamani Arinze Darlington , Special Assistant on Media to Governor Peter Mbah, proved abortive.
The crisis in Akpakwume stands as a damning example of how political protection and the Peter Mbah led-government complicitly supports insecurity thereby worsening the already high spate of banditry, kidnapping, and lawlessness threatening peace across Enugu State.
