Four traditional rulers in Anambra State have received certificates of recognition from Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

In a private ceremony conducted at the Awka government palace on Saturday, he presented the monarchs with their certificates.

He agreed that numerous unauthorized individuals were usurping the roles of traditional rulers in several areas while issuing the certificates. He declared that going forward, those who engaged in such behavior would face a six-month jail sentence.

A release by the press secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, listed the traditional rulers who received their certificates to include; Igwe Mkpuorah Ngini of Isuaniocha in Awka North Local Government Area, Eze Augustine Nwangwu of Ajali in Orumba North Local Government, Igwe Alexander Azike of Igbo-ukwu, and Igwe Ikechukwu Ezeofor of Umuona, both in Aguata Local Government Area.

According to their respective constitutions, traditional leaders were chosen by their constituents.

“Anyone who parades in the state as a king but is not recognized by the state government will be sentenced to a six-month jail term under the law.

The majority of communities in Anambra State previously had caretaker committees, which were detrimental to the interests of a larger population.

“My administration has used the option A4 system to hold no fewer than 110 elections in communities. The laws of the traditional rulers are carefully enforced in Anambra State. “Those who pose as traditional leaders when they are not recognized by the state must stop doing so or face a six-month jail sentence,” he stated.