Eze Linus Nto Mbah, the head of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, has dismissed accusations that he blocked the burial of Mrs. Nkechi Florence Elijah. Mr. Elijah Ndubuisi Amah, the widower, had previously alleged that the monarch obstructed the interment of his wife, who passed away on April 9, 2025.
Reports circulated online suggesting the conflict arose because Mr. Amah demanded greater accountability in community governance. However, Eze Mbah labeled these claims as defamatory and entirely false. According to the monarch, the local leadership, including the President General, instructed Mr. Amah to cooperate with police inquiries after residents raised concerns regarding the circumstances of his wife’s death.
The monarch stated that Mr. Amah failed to comply with these requests, leading the community to involve law enforcement directly. Following the intervention of the Arochukwu Local Government Mayor and security officials, police officers from the Arochukwu Division transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department in Umuahia. Eze Mbah further noted that Mr. Amah declined to authorize an autopsy despite funds being available to cover the procedure. The traditional ruler is now preparing to initiate a defamation lawsuit against those responsible for the online reports.
