The High Court of Enugu State, Amagunze Judicial Division, has issued an interim injunction restraining Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe from organizing or holding the New Yam Festival in Mburubu Town, originally scheduled for November 1, 2025.
The order, issued by Justice J.L.C. Okibe under Suit No. HAMA/24/2025, followed an ex parte motion filed by High Chief Linus Ejimofor Igbudu and Chief Raphael Chukwu on behalf of Uhuegbe Village. The plaintiffs contended that Uhuegbe Village holds the exclusive right to produce the next traditional ruler (Igwe) of Mburubu Town. They argued that Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe’s self-declaration as Igwe-Elect and his attempt to host the New Yam Festival amounted to usurpation of authority and violated the community’s established customs.
Justice Okibe granted the interim injunction, citing the need to maintain peace in the community pending the determination of the substantive motion. The court ordered that Onuokaibe, his agents, associates, or any affiliated groups be restrained from organizing, promoting, or celebrating the New Yam Festival under any guise.
This development follows a February 12, 2025, judgment by Justice C.O. Ajah of the Enugu State High Court. In that ruling, the court affirmed that the Igweship of Mburubu Town is constitutionally and traditionally reserved for candidates from Uhuegbe Village, the second-ranked village in the town’s traditional order of seniority.
The judgment further stated that Onuokaibe, a native of Umunafor Village—fifth in seniority—was ineligible to contest for the stool. Justice Ajah described his claim as “illegitimate and contrary to the customs, traditions, and legal framework governing the selection of traditional rulers in Mburubu.” The court declared any election or presentation of Onuokaibe by the self-styled Mburubu General Assembly null and void.
The ruling also directed the recognized Mburubu Town Union executives, including the Igwe’s Cabinet and Uhuegbe Village representatives, to conduct the election for the next Igwe from Uhuegbe Village only. If the candidate is unopposed, he should be returned as Igwe in accordance with the 2003 amended Constitution of Mburubu Town Union and the Traditional Rulers Law of Enugu State 2004.
The court ordered the first and second defendants to pay N500,000 to the plaintiffs for the embarrassment and disruption caused to the community. All counterclaims filed by Onuokaibe and the self-styled assembly were dismissed as lacking merit.
The Mburubu community has urged the public to disregard any invitations to the purported festival, warning that attendance could escalate tensions. The community also clarified that it had already celebrated its annual New Yam Festival, Igba Aju, in August 2025.
The injunction and earlier ruling reinforce the principle of rotational selection of the Igwe, emphasizing that only eligible candidates from the next senior village, Uhuegbe, can contest the throne. The court’s decisions aim to uphold traditional customs, maintain peace, and prevent unauthorized claims to leadership in Mburubu Town.
