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The leadership of Obeagu-Ugwuaji Community has blamed the former President General, Obi Chukwunonso, for allegedly orchestrating a recent protest by some women in the area, describing it as a diversion from an ongoing audit of his administration.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Okuwudili Joseph, who spoke alongside the community’s legal representative, Ihenda Idam, said the protest, anchored on claims that some men were being hunted, was sponsored and did not reflect the position of the community.
“About 80 percent of those who protested are not even from the community. Many were hired and paid. This was not a genuine protest but a calculated attempt to create unrest and discredit the Igwe,” Joseph said.
He alleged that loyalists of the former PG were behind the demonstration in a bid to evade accountability over alleged illegal land transactions and financial misconduct.
Joseph dismissed claims that the traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Christopher Ikenga Nyia, embezzled over N400 million or unilaterally sold community lands, insisting that such allegations were false.
“The Igwe is not the sole signatory to the community’s account. There are about four signatories, and no withdrawal can be made without collective approval. The allegations are baseless,” he said.
He further explained that land allocations in the community follow a structured process involving the town union leadership, land committee, the Igwe, and elders, making unilateral decisions impossible.
The caretaker chairman maintained that the root of the dispute was the refusal of the former leadership to submit to an audit since its dissolution in May 2025.
“Our mandate was to audit the former leadership, amend the constitution, and conduct elections. The former PG has resisted every attempt to audit his administration. That is why they are sponsoring distractions,” he said.
Joseph also alleged cases of forged land documents and signatures, including that of the Igwe, noting that complaints had been lodged with the police and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
He added that the same group had disrupted community activities and intimidated developers who had met all requirements.
“They stop developers who have paid because they want to continue collecting illegal levies,” he alleged.
On the legal side, Idam said the dissolution of the former leadership and the appointment of the caretaker committee were upheld by the High Court, which also restrained the ex-officials from interfering.
“Those behind the protest were lawfully dissolved and restrained by the court. This is lawful prosecution, not persecution. Anyone who feels aggrieved can seek redress in court,” he added.
Idam also faulted attempts to restore the dissolved leadership, insisting that Igwe Nyia remains committed to peace and the rule of law.
