Will execution tears family apart in Anambra

From: David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi

The execution  of late Chief A.O. Ezeoke’s Will in Nkpologwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has landed the family in court.

Head of the family, Dr. Sylvester Ezeoke, had dragged the Bishop of Awka Diocese in Anambra State, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, to court over his father’s Will.

Sylvester alleged that the Bishop, as a principal executor of his father’s Will, was playing a game suggestive that he did not want to divest his father’s property to the beneficiaries.

He explained that also dragged before the Anambra State High Court was the counsel for the Bishop, Rev. Fr. (Dr) Chukwujekwu Obiaora.

 He said another arm of the matter was pending at the Federal High Court, sitting in Awka, even as he expressed disappointment over how certain people were bent on denying the family their inheritance.

 Ezeoke said: “On behalf of my other siblings, I’m making this presentation for the world to hear our cry of supplication about the intimidation, oppression, injustices, disregard for the rule of law, character assassination, threat to my life and that of my brother, Ezeoke Celestine Mmaduchukwu, confiscation of properties that lawfully belong to me and my family, being meted out to us by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor, through his agents led by Rev. Fr. (Dr) Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora.

 “Our father was a very close confidant to Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese, whom he frequently paid visits and sought counsel and advice. During his last days, he told us to see Bishop Ezeokafor as his friend and confidant, that if we needed any help or advice when he was gone, we should always go to him.

But in a statement signed and made available to newsmen, on Tuesday, in Awka, by eight amongst the late Chief Ezeoke’s family including Mrs Ngozi Nwachukwu; Dr (Mrs.) Chinyere Aginam; Uchenna Ezeoke; Mrs Amarachukwu Esomugha; Mr Calistus Ezeoke; Mrs Njideka Emenobi; Mr Elochukwu Ezeoke and Miss Nonso Ezeoke, they absolved Bishop Ezeokafor of any wrong doing concerning the execution of late Chief Ezeoke’s Will.

The signatories said: “We wish to state categorically that those allegations recently published in the in the national daily (not The Sun) and other media outlets are totally false, and are maliciously intended to malign the Bishop and his legal adviser, Rev Fr (Dr) Edwin Obiora. Dr Sylvester Ezeoke did not speak on our behalf as a representative of late Chief Ezeoke’s family.

They affirmed their support for Bishop Ezeokafor and Rev Fr (Dr.) Obiora to continue the work they were doing to execute their late father’s Will within the confines of the law. They said the Bishop and Rev Fr Obiora had neither oppressed nor intimidated them.

When contacted, the bishop’s lawyer, Dr Obiaora, said the matter was in court and that it would be prejudicial to discuss it in the press.