By Pascal Ibe

Claim

An X account, @fattylincorn_∅1 claimed that the self-acclaimed Igbo king in Ghana has been arrested by the authorities.

Verdict

This claim is FALSE. Credible reports have confirmed that the self-acclaimed Igbo traditional ruler was only summoned and warned by Ghana’s foreign affairs minister on 17th July.

Full Text

Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu is currently trending in Ghana due to a confluence of factors, primarily centered around concerns over Ghana’s sovereignty and traditional authority, and renewed scrutiny of his title and activities.

The most significant trigger was the resurfacing of a 2013 interview where Eze Ihenetu allegedly spoke of plans to establish a “50-acre Igbo Kingdom” or “Igbo Village” on Ghanaian soil.

On 8th July, FACTWATCH Nigeria debunked a viral video alongside the claim that the Ghanians were protesting over the “Igbo King in Ghana”.

As the controversy rages on, an X user, @fattylincorn_∅1has claimed that the self-acclaimed Igbo king in Ghana has been arrested by the authorities.

The post had already generated over 100k views and more than 140 reposts with many people questioning the reason behind his arrest.

Verification

FACTWATCH Nigeria did a keyword search on Google and found no report relating to his recent arrest.

We came across a publication by a Ghana-based online newspaper that reported the summoning of the self-acclaimed Igbo traditional ruler on Thursday by Ghana’s foreign affairs minister.

According to the report, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has firmly directed the leader of the Igbo community in Ghana, Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, to respect the country’s laws and customs, following viral claims about plans to establish an “Igbo Kingdom” on Ghanaian soil.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 17, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that he had summoned Eze Ihenetu to clarify the alarming claims.

The minister noted that while Ghana remains a proud Pan-African nation that welcomes all Africans and people of African descent, foreign nationals must strictly abide by Ghanaian law and avoid actions deemed unlawful, divisive, or incendiary.

“Chukwudi conveyed profuse apologies to the President, Government, Chiefs and People of Ghana for the unfortunate agitations his rather ill-advised interview has created,” Ablakwa said.

Check this similar report here and here.

Conclusion

The claim that Eze Ndígbo in Ghana was arrested recently is FALSE. However, he was summoned by the Ghanaian authority.