The controversial traditional ruler of Umunya community in Oyi local government area of Anambra state, Chris Onyekwuluje is dead.
He was aged 61.
The monarch, who was crowned 25 years ago, died in Abuja two days ago after a long battle with cancer related issues, The Nation reports.
The president general of the community, Chief Innocent Nwabueze (Oyi of Oyi), described the death as unfortunate and sad.
He said: “We have to face the reality of life, it’s one of those things. Our monarch has traveled and when he’s coming back we don’t really know, but it’s a very sad situation to us.”
Another source, who did not want to be mentioned, said: “Though he did most things wrongly in our community, but his death is not a social media thing. Umunya has a procedure of announcing the death of its traditional ruler.”
Onyekwuluje was conspicuous during the administration of the late former Governor of Anambra state, Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
He was the contractor that erected the mast in the premises of Anambra Broadcasting Corporation ABS that killed some number of people
Recently in his community, he was said to have told his people that he would rule them for up to 100 years, the statement said to have infuriated some of the elders.