Town Union Crisis: Anambra Community petitions IGP, CAC over Detention of Town Union Leader, Impersonation

By Praise Chinecherem

Community leaders from Enugwu Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over alleged stealing, hijack and fraudulent registering of its association, Ositadinma Development Union (ODU) by certain individuals in the community.

The group also alleged harassment, intimidation and unlawful detention of its chairman, Chief Emmanuel Ezeobi by same individuals who accused him of embezzlement and diversion of association’s funds.

Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Counsel to the Union, Nkem Olisa said the gang, sponsored by an Enugu based industrialist had severally instigated crisis in the peace loving community with intention to be in control of the town’s affairs by hook or crook.

He said the Union had petitioned Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, calling for immediate prosecution of the industrialist and his accomplices who also paraded themselves as trustees of the Union to prevent public from being duped.

He said, “We appeal to the Secretary General of Corporate Affair Commission (CAC) to retrieve the certificate fraudulently obtained by these fraudsters. 

“They have their own registered union which the ODU has no issue with. But impersonating the ODU and forging her document is wrong because their intentions may be to use it to be soliciting for funds in the name of the Union. 

“We’ll also want the police to investigate the petition on false information about the chairman which led to his unlawful seven days detention and charge culprits to court. 

On his part, Chairman, Ositadinma Development Union (ODU) by Chief Emmanuel Ezeobi described the industrialist as terror to the association leadership, warning against threat to his life and that of his family.

He said, “He’s always frustrating the leadership activities. Most of my predecessors experienced such frustrations at the tale end of their tenure, some at the middle. But mine started less than three months of resumption of office. 

“My house was twice invaded by over 25 unidentified armed gang sponsored by the same person and his cohorts. As God may have it, I was not around when they came. They ransacked everywhere, broke all the rooms, including those of my brothers.

“They shot sporadically and took my wife, until around 5.30pm when I was informed that my wife was at the police station where I went to pick her. My life isn’t safe, especially this era of unknown gunmen and kidnappers. 

“We want to call the attention of the IG to his activities and expediate action to series of investigations, and to bring to book whoever that’s indicted, so peace could reign in my community. 

“Further delay can lead to chaos as youths are already threatening riot. We need IG intervention to avert crisis and more damages and restore calm in the area.”