Three months after HRH Eze Kenneth Nwiboko, the traditional ruler of Ndiabor Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and his wife were reportedly attacked by angry youths, bundled into a wheelbarrow, and banished from the community following a heated succession dispute over the traditional stool, shock and outrage continue to trail the violent episode that rocked the usually quiet community, writes EDWARD NNACHI
Uproar erupted in the usually peaceful Ndiabor Ishieke community in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Angry youths of the community allegedly assaulted HRH Eze Kenneth Nwiboko and his wife, bundled them into a wheelbarrow, and forcefully expelled them from the community. The duo were reportedly stoned and paraded out of the area, where they were declared banished and ordered never to return.
The Nwibikos’ offence? The traditional ruler, who was duly elected by the people of Ndiabor Ishieke community, was allegedly dethroned and replaced with his stepbrother, said to be close to influential figures in the corridors of power. It was gathered that the move was aimed at intimidating and forcing him out of the traditional stool, amid claims that he lacked political backing compared to his rival.
Feeling isolated amid what he described as a hostile takeover, the monarch approached the court to seek redress. However, his decision to seek judicial intervention in the dispute reportedly became a turning point in the crisis.
Following the development, the youths allegedly descended on him and his household, unleashing violence on them. The Eze and his wife were reportedly beaten, stoned, humiliated, and banished from the community.
It was further gathered that Nwiboko, his wife, and their nine-month-old son were hospitalised after the attack. Their residence was also reportedly vandalised and sealed off by the assailants.
Eyewitnesses claimed the attackers inflicted severe injuries on Nwiboko, breaking both his knees and ankles and leaving him incapacitated. They added that he was subsequently placed in a wheelbarrow and paraded through the community alongside his wife and young child, who were allegedly bound with palm fronds.
The incident has continued to generate widespread outrage and condemnation within and beyond the state, raising renewed concerns over growing human rights violations and the persistence of mob justice in society.
Speaking on the development, an author and teacher, Comrade Obinna Udenwe, condemned the incident and called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. He described the act as something associated with the “dark age,” questioning why such practices still occur in contemporary society.
He further described the incident as callous and barbaric, adding that the least the community could have done was to report the matter to the police rather than resorting to self-help.
He said, “This is callous and barbaric, to say the least. I just came online to see this. No offence, no matter how grievous, should warrant such barbarism and inhumane treatment of a man and his wife.
“In this age and time, there are better ways to handle grievances. If a man has committed a crime in the community, the proper thing is to have him arrested and prosecuted through lawful and established legal channels, not to tie him up, carry him in a wheelbarrow, declare him banished from his home, and humiliate him in this manner.
“If it is true that his only offence was seeking redress in court after losing the Ezeship position he contested, and the community felt aggrieved, then whoever instigated this action, as well as all those involved, must be punished.
“Whoever is responsible, irrespective of status or position in society or government, must be fished out and brought to justice. Failure to do so would portray the government as weak, complicit, and inconsistent.
“Every youth who participated in this act must be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. There is no justification whatsoever for such crass behaviour. None.”
Also reacting, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Dr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the incident amounted to a violation of several rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the incident reflects a dangerous mix of impunity, erosion of respect for the rule of law, and the persistence of crude extrajudicial punishment disguised as “community justice.”
“These kinds of incidents still occur, though they are unlawful and unacceptable, particularly in environments where mob justice, weak law enforcement, and the breakdown of community dispute-resolution mechanisms persist.
“What happened in Ebonyi reflects a dangerous mix of impunity, erosion of respect for the rule of law, and the persistence of crude extrajudicial forms of punishment disguised as ‘community justice.’ In a modern constitutional democracy like Nigeria, no individual or group has the authority to subject anyone—let alone a traditional ruler—to humiliation, violence, or banishment without due process.
“Even where disputes arise over traditional leadership or community decisions, there are lawful channels for resolution, including the courts. Resorting to violence and public degradation is a clear regression into lawlessness and must be treated as such,” he said.
He added, “Yes, his fundamental human rights have been grossly violated. The actions described clearly infringe on several rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the right to dignity of the human person (freedom from degrading treatment), the right to personal liberty, the right to freedom of movement (in relation to banishment), and the right to fair hearing, since he was allegedly punished for seeking judicial redress.
“What is particularly troubling is that he was attacked for exercising his constitutional right to approach the court. This strikes at the very heart of the rule of law.
“Relevant authorities, especially the police and the state government, must act decisively—carry out an immediate investigation and arrest all those involved in the assault and public humiliation, prosecute the perpetrators to send a clear message that mob action and jungle justice will not be tolerated, and ensure protection of the victim and his family, including facilitating their safe return if they so desire.
“Failure to act decisively will only embolden further acts of lawlessness and undermine public confidence in the justice system,” he warned.
Similarly, a human rights lawyer and President of the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network, Olu Omotayo, condemned the inhumane treatment meted out to the traditional ruler and his wife, describing the actions as torture and an arbitrary exercise of power.
According to him, “We submit that no person or group of persons has the power to banish any citizen of Nigeria from their home, in view of the provisions of Sections 37, 41 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as Articles 2, 5, 12, 14 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act), Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“The action of the so-called persons who banished the traditional ruler and his wife from their home is not only barbaric but highly condemnable in any civilised society. It constitutes a violation of their rights and amounts to torture and degrading treatment, which is illegal and an arbitrary exercise of power in breach of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“In NKPA v. NKPUME (2001) 6 NWLR (Pt. 710) 543 at 560 paras F–H, the Court of Appeal held that courts will frown upon any manifestation of arbitrary power assumed by anyone over the life or property of another, even where such a person is suspected of having breached a law or regulation.
“We also submit that every person in Nigeria has the right to go about his or her lawful business unmolested by anyone, whether a government functionary or private individual. People must never take the law into their own hands in attempting to enforce what they consider to be their rights or entitlements, as affirmed in ERONINI v. ERONINI (2013) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1373) 32,” he stated.
The harsh, torture-like treatment meted out to the Nwiboko family was so severe that they were reportedly taken to an undisclosed hospital for urgent medical attention.
His daughter, Miss Ozioma Nwiboko, appeared visibly distressed when approached by our correspondent, who sought to confirm their whereabouts.
“Who are you? What do you want, sir? I hope you are not one of those who want to kill my father? I hope I am safe too,” she asked anxiously.
She added, “I don’t know what my father did to them that they beat him and my mother. For now, they are in the hospital, but I will not disclose the hospital they are admitted in. I will call my younger brother, and he will take you there.” That was the last she could say.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Human Rights Defenders and Access, Dr. Sampson Nweke, described the condition of the traditional ruler and his wife in the hospital as pathetic, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
Narrating what he observed at the monarch’s hospital bed, he said, “The torture of Chief Kenneth Nwiboko, his trial by ordeal, and the subsequent banishment of him and his family represent a brazen display of barbarism, lawlessness, and cruelty. No human being deserves such inhumane treatment, not even a person accused or found guilty of an offence. No position of authority, not even the Igweship throne, is worth the blood or suffering of any individual.
“He said it was the turn of their family to produce the new Igwe of Ndiabor Ishieke Autonomous Community. He declared interest in the stool alongside four other contestants, including his stepbrother, Chief Awoke Nwiboko, who was eventually crowned around September 2024.
“Dissatisfied with the process that disqualified him and installed his stepbrother—whom he considers grossly unqualified—he filed a civil suit and copied relevant authorities. According to him, that was his only ‘offence’: seeking redress through the court of law.
“As a rights advocacy group, HURIDE strongly condemns the actions of those involved. We are committed to pursuing justice through lawful means to ensure accountability and to prevent a recurrence of such acts in other communities across the state.
“Based on his account and our independent findings, his only action was to approach the court to challenge alleged irregularities within the community, particularly in relation to the Igweship stool. The community’s response, therefore, was a reaction that went far beyond reasonable bounds.
“Seeking redress in a court of law does not constitute an offence in any constitutional democracy. Consequently, those who subjected him to such treatment acted unlawfully, and all lawful steps will be taken to ensure that justice is served,” the group stated.
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