The Office of the Attorney General of the Abia State Law Students’ Association (ALSA) has called on His Royal Majesty, King Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, to reverse the 10-year banishment he imposed on a man from his community and to hand the matter over to the police and the courts.
Arochukwu Blog gathered that Apostle Chinyere, Ihie I of Ikwuorie Autonomous Community, Ohanku Ndoki, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), announced in a Facebook post on 12 November 2026 that he had banished the man for ten years after an investigation reportedly established that the man impregnated his biological daughter. The monarch also said he would take over the feeding and schooling of the man’s other children.
In a press release dated 14 November 2026 and signed by its Attorney General, Comr. Nnadozie Victor Onyemaobi, ALSA said it noted the monarch’s statement “with deep concern.” It made clear, however, that it was not defending the alleged act. “Let us be clear from the outset: the act alleged is abhorrent, and this Office does not defend it in any way,” the statement read.
The association said incest is a serious criminal offence under Nigerian law, including Section 25 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and the laws adopting it across the states. “Precisely because the allegation is so grave, it must be handled by the institutions the law has created for that purpose: the police, the prosecuting authorities and the courts,” it said.
ALSA described banishment as unconstitutional and listed the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) it relied on. Section 41(1) guarantees every citizen the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part of it. “No Nigerian may be expelled from any part of the country by the order of any individual,” the statement said. It added that Section 25 makes the man a citizen of Nigeria by birth, entitled to the same protection as every other citizen, and that Section 6 vests judicial powers in the courts alone, not in traditional institutions. It further cited Section 36, which guarantees every accused person a fair hearing and presumes him innocent until proved guilty, and Section 36(12), under which no one may be punished for an offence that is not defined, and whose penalty is not prescribed, in a written law.
The association also pointed to precedent. In 2021, it noted, the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the banishment of the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
ALSA argued that banishment also defeats the very justice it seeks. “Banishment does not punish the crime; it relocates it. It allows a suspect in a grave sexual offence to walk free into another community, where he may pose a danger to others. It denies the victim the justice the law guarantees her, and it denies the accused the fair trial the Constitution guarantees him. The proper course is investigation, prosecution and, if guilt is proved, punishment by a competent court,” the statement said.
The association also spoke warmly of the monarch. “This Office holds His Majesty in the highest esteem. His humanitarian work, through free schools, free hospitals, skills acquisition centres and scholarships for indigent students, is unprecedented in our time. We also commend his compassion in taking responsibility for the feeding and education of the man’s children. It is precisely because of this record that we respectfully urge him to let the law take its course,” it said.
ALSA made four specific calls. It asked His Majesty to withdraw the order of banishment and refer the matter to the Nigeria Police Force and the Abia State Ministry of Justice for investigation and prosecution. It asked all relevant authorities to ensure that the daughter, who it described as the primary victim, receives medical, psychological and legal support and that her identity is protected at all times. It asked traditional rulers across Abia State to refer criminal matters to law enforcement agencies rather than impose customary sanctions. And it asked the Abia State Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to remind traditional institutions of the constitutional limits of their authority.
The statement closed with this message: “The rule of law protects every citizen, including those accused of the worst offences. Justice must be done, and it must be done through the courts.”
—
For Advert, Blog Posting & Political Campaigns
Looking to reach your target audience faster and more effectively?
Aro Okeigbo Blog is your trusted platform. With over 5 million monthly readers across our blogs and a combined social media following of more than 200,000, we help politicians, brands, and individuals get their message to the right people at the right time.
Whether it’s political campaigns, product adverts, sponsored blog posts, or general awareness, we deliver results.
For enquiries, reach out to our Advert Consultant:
Victor
Email: Victor@arochukwublog.com
WhatsApp: +234 806 177 9301
We look forward to working with you.
