For six years, a question has circulated through the Obi Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, with increasing urgency: where is Eze J.N. Osuji? What began as an internal community dispute has grown into a documented, multi-layered governance crisis involving village heads, a Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, competing palace communiqués, a contested Traditional Prime Minister, a royal son, and — most recently — the commercially significant question of who legitimately represents Obi Mbieri in negotiations with Seplat Energy. This article tracks the public record chronologically, drawing exclusively on named public statements, published interviews, and institutional communiqués to present a documented account of one of Imo State's most consequential traditional leadership controversies.

Where Is Eze J.N. Osuji? What Obi Mbieri Leaders Have Said Since 2020

Subheading:

A timeline of public statements and interviews about Eze J.N. Osuji’s prolonged absence from Obi Mbieri.

Introduction

Eze J.N. Osuji, the traditional ruler of Obi Mbieri Autonomous Community, has been at the centre of several public discussions over the years.

Since 2020, chiefs, village heads and other community leaders have made different statements about his whereabouts, health, communication with the community and the exercise of his traditional authority.

This timeline brings together some of the major public statements from 2020 to 2026.

2020: Eze Osuji Responds to Burial Controversy

In August 2020, Eze J.N. Osuji was publicly involved in a dispute over the burial of his brother’s wife.

Chief Adolphus Osuji accused the monarch of preventing the burial.

Eze Osuji later denied the allegation and said he did not stop the burial.

Read the reports:

Nigeria Watchdog report

Daily Post report on Eze Osuji’s response

2023: Questions About His Whereabouts

By April 2023, concerns about Eze Osuji’s absence had become public.

Village heads and other stakeholders began asking for information about his whereabouts.

Chief Godson Onuoha and other community leaders said they wanted to hear directly from the monarch.

Read the report:

The Heartlander TV report

Patrick Emeruem Speaks

On April 28, 2023, then President-General Patrick Emeruem said community leaders had not seen or heard directly from Eze Osuji for about three years.

Chief Emma Iwuagwu also reportedly confirmed that he had not heard directly from the monarch.

Read the report:

Nigeria Watchdog report

Eze Osuji Sends a Message

On May 7, 2023, a message attributed to Eze Osuji was published.

In the message, the monarch thanked his subjects for their support and warned against efforts to remove him.

This created an important question: if some leaders said they had not heard directly from him, how was the message communicated?

Read the report:

Nigeria News Point report

May 2023: Chiefs Demand That He Appear

High Chief Boniface Nwaigbo, described as a close associate of Eze Osuji, expressed concern about the monarch’s prolonged absence.

He said community leaders did not know where the monarch was and raised concerns about his condition.

Read the report:

The Heartlander TV interview

Chief Godson Onuoha also called on Eze Osuji to appear publicly and address the community.

Importantly, Onuoha said Eze Osuji remained the traditional ruler but needed to communicate directly with his subjects.

Read the report:

Nigeria News Point interview

2024: Different Accounts Emerge

The debate continued into 2024.

Some community leaders supported Prof. Kyrian Ndikom as the person handling traditional affairs while Eze Osuji was away.

A January 2024 meeting reportedly reaffirmed Ndikom’s position pending the return of Eze Osuji.

Read the report:

Silver News report

At the same time, representatives of Eze Osuji’s cabinet continued to say that the monarch remained the traditional ruler.

Mbaitoli Traditional Rulers Council Gives Its Position

In June 2024, the Mbaitoli Council of Traditional Rulers said Eze Osuji was alive and recovering from illness.

The council also said it had maintained contact with him through phone and video calls.

Read the report:

Nigeria Watchdog report

This became an important part of the story because it differed from earlier statements by some Obi Mbieri leaders who said they had not heard directly from the monarch.

2025: The Question of Palace Communications

In April 2025, Chief Jeto Nwadi publicly discussed the situation.

He said Eze Osuji’s prolonged absence had created uncertainty in the community.

Nwadi also supported Prof. Kyrian Ndikom's role while the monarch remained away.

Read the statement:

Nigeria Watchdog report

Another dispute followed when Basil Onwuzuruike, Chairman of Umuotunwoke Village, questioned a letter said to have come from the Eze’s family.

He questioned its authenticity because the monarch had not been seen or heard directly by community members for a long period.

Read the report:

Nigeria Watchdog report

2026: The Issue Reaches the Oil Revenue Debate

The question of Eze Osuji’s absence became even more important in 2026 because of the controversy surrounding Obi Mbieri’s relationship with Seplat Energy.

In August 2026, reports emerged that Seplat had referred to dealings with Eze Osuji.

Chief Charles Opara and Chief Emeka Emerenini reportedly questioned how such dealings could have taken place when the monarch had been away for several years.

They asked for clarification about who represented Eze Osuji.

Read the report:

Grassroot Reporters investigation

A subsequent rejoinder by Chinemeze Ibewuihe said Eze Osuji was receiving treatment abroad.

Read the rejoinder:

Starpost Express response

What the Public Record Shows

The statements made over the years reveal several important points.

First, Eze Osuji was publicly active in 2020 and personally responded to a controversy.

Second, by 2023, several Obi Mbieri leaders were publicly questioning his prolonged absence.

Third, there were conflicting accounts about communication with the monarch. Some leaders said they had not heard directly from him, while other authorities later said they were communicating with him.

Fourth, the disagreement gradually moved from simply asking about his whereabouts to a larger question: who has the authority to act for Eze Osuji while he is away?

Finally, by 2026, the question had taken on greater importance because of disputes involving community leadership and dealings connected to Obi Mbieri's oil-producing interests.

The Unanswered Questions

The public record leaves several questions:

1. Where is the Eze?
2. Who has maintained direct contact with him?
3. Who has authority to issue instructions on his behalf?
4. Are the letters attributed to him genuine and verifiable?
5. What is the legal position on the authority of Prof. Kyrian Ndikom while Eze Osuji remains away?
6. What role, if any, has Eze Osuji personally played in recent dealings involving Obi Mbieri?

These questions can only be properly answered by examining the original letters, court records, official communiqués, interviews and direct statements from Eze Osuji himself.

This article is a timeline of publicly reported statements. Claims made by individuals are presented as their statements and should not be treated as independently established facts unless supported by primary evidence.