Soludo Moves Against Fake Traditional Rulers, After Crackdown on Fake Pastors, Native Doctors

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Government has extended its ongoing crackdown on impersonation and fraudulent practices to the traditional institution, declaring that individuals parading themselves as traditional rulers without official recognition will face criminal prosecution under the state’s Traditional Rulers Law.

The latest action comes months after the Soludo administration launched a sweeping campaign against fake native doctors and self-styled pastors accused of promoting criminality and fraudulent practices, with several suspects already prosecuted and some currently serving various prison terms following convictions.

The directive against fake traditional rulers was contained in a circular dated July 21, 2026, signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Vin-Ifeanyi Ezeaka, and addressed to Presidents-General of Town Unions across the state.

The government said it had received reports of persons who, despite lacking formal recognition by the state government, were holding themselves out as traditional rulers, allowing themselves to be addressed by royal titles and performing functions reserved exclusively for government-recognised monarchs.

According to the circular, only a person who has been duly selected, appointed and formally recognised by the Anambra State Government in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State, 2007, is legally entitled to function or present himself as the recognised traditional ruler of any town or community.

The government stressed that the law criminalises the unlawful assumption of the office of a traditional ruler.

It noted that any person not recognised by the Governor who parades himself as a traditional ruler, permits himself to be portrayed or addressed as one, or performs ceremonies or official functions reserved for recognised monarchs commits an offence punishable by imprisonment.

The circular disclosed that, following the reports received, the state government had resolved to prosecute every individual found unlawfully parading as a traditional ruler, assuming reserved royal titles or performing the functions of recognised traditional rulers.

To facilitate enforcement, Presidents-General of Town Unions were directed to forward complaints against suspected offenders to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry of Justice for appropriate legal action.

Community leaders were also instructed to circulate the directive to community executives, village heads and other relevant stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with the law.

The latest measure is widely seen as a continuation of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s campaign to restore order and enforce the law across religious, traditional and cultural institutions in Anambra State, following earlier actions against fake native doctors and self-styled pastors accused of aiding criminal activities and deceiving members of the public.