Amaekpu is one of the eight Ohaeke villages in Ohafia – the only villages where Umuaka exists. For all Ohaeke villages, Umuaka is the highest and most revered court of the land. It does not enforce laws like, Akpan, it only legislates, and adjudicates in cases where the Akpan is unable to. A visit by the Umuaka was akin to a visit by the gods - for punishment. Should a sacrilege occur in any Ohaeke village, or the authority of the Umuakabe challenged in any form, all the Umuaka in all Ohaeke villages will congregate – often with dire consequences.
Membership of Umuaka is open only to men, who have distinguished themselves in the community. In the past, such men would have distinguished themselves by maintaining full yam bans, been notable warriors, be men of impeccable character, and/or would have been distinguished members of Akpan. The headship of Umuaka “Ezie Umuaka”, very much like Akpan rotates between select families among the 'Otusi´ compounds. Ezie Umuaka would usually be the most respected and noble man in the group. All members are expected to be responsible and articulate men devoid of byzantine complexities, and custodians of the culture.
Umuaka maintains peace through responsible adjudication and fines for offenders, mostly in issues that have gone beyond Akpan. They command respect akin to fear. On an Nkwo market day – their meeting day, or on a day when an elder is to be buried, the early morning eerie sound of their horn “Opu umuaka” would strike fear and caution into everyone. This horn is reminder to their members to congregate, as well as a warning to everyone that Umuaka will be marching. As they march in a single file, people would run into their homes, while others already in transit would stop and find safety outside the road. The members march in silence, with expressionless faces, eyes darting right and left to see if there are defaulters, the eerie silence only broken by the somewhat rhythmic sounds of their marching feet, their walking staff ponding the ground like a hundred horse hooves, and the almost religiously periodic spine-chilling sound of their Opu.
People are allowed to watch from a distance but with strict restrictions. For instance, one can watch, but not gaze at them as gazing is interpreted to mean daring them. One can only stand at a distance with arms down, as folding your arms mean the person is attempting to strangle Umuaka. Standing with arms akimbo is also prohibited as this means one is rude and does not recognize the authority of Umuaka. In addition, pounding on a mortar is also prohibited as it means you are pounding the heads of Umuaka. Furthermore, one must not laugh, cry, run, fight when Umuaka is in motion. Finally, and arguably worst of all, one must neither run/walk across them, nor enter their meeting hall, nor touch their walking staff. The consequences of these would range from heavy to dire. Umuaka still remains the most respected institution till date.