BY Anayo Okoli

Umuahia-THE traditional ruler of Emede Ibekeu in Umuahia North Council area of Abia State, Eze Ezekwem, has condemned the practice by some royal fathers allegedly collecting money from their subjects to issue letters recognising them as bona fide members of their communities.

Ezekwem said such extortion was wrong, pointing out that the only thing the subjects owe their royal fathers was their loyalty, support and prayers.

He spoke against the backdrop of allegations making the round in the state that some royal fathers have capitalised on the directive of Abia State government to all its public workers to get identification letter from their traditional rulers to enable it ascertain genuine indigenes of the state, preparatory to the mass transfer of non-indigenes which took effect October 1.

Vanguard learnt that the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Emeka Ananaba, had also called a meeting of some traditional rulers from Abia South and warned against collecting money from any indigene that came for the identification letter.

It was alleged that some royal fathers were collecting between N500 and N2,500 from their subjects to issue the identification letter.