As women in Ohaji community protest choice of Woman Leader
As controversy continues to trail the recent compilation of members of the Community Government Council, CGC, in Imo State, the profile and background of some people holding CGC positions has become a source of worry and concern to autonomous communities in the state.
In troubled Ochia Autonomous Community, Awara Court Area of Ohaji in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, the Government Liaison Officer, who was also recently appointed Community Liaison Officer, CLO, Hon Herbert Uba (Omekannaya) is among those charged to court on a 21-count charge allegations bothering on armed robbery, arson, conspiracy to abduct, hostage taking, felony and other related criminal offences.
Hon Herbert Uba who is still at large with others as well as eight suspects remanded in prison custody have a case to answer in the unwarranted destruction of building and property belonging to some personalities in Ububo village including the traditional ruler of the Community, Eze Ekwueme Paulinus Ekwueme, as well as robbery, hostage taking and other vices to residents of the community.
In the Magistrate Court of Imo State, Ohaji Magisterial District, holden at Umuagwo presided over by C. Onii-Egbunihe, a Chief Magisterate, the GLO and CLO of Ochia was charged with others that “on about the 5th day of February, 2013 at Ububo village, Ochia in the Ohaji Magisterial District did conspire with one another to commit felony to: armed robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 403A and punishable under section 402(2)(a) of the criminal Code Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2001, as applicable in Imo State”.
In Charge No M011/9C/2013, Commissioner of Police vs Ezekwe and others, Herbert Uba was among those accused that “on the 5th day of February 2013, at the same place and Magisterial District, while armed with guns and matchets robbed HRH Eze Ekwueme Ekwueme of his 42-inch Plasma LG Television set valued N378,000,000 thereby committed an offence punishable under section 402(2)(a) of the criminal Code Cap C 38 laws of the Federation 2004 as applicable in Imo State”.
While the GLO and others were within the aforementioned time and place “did abduct and keep one Ali Benedict (m) and Adiorudi Herbert with intent to demand ransom and thereby committed and offence punishable under section 3 of the Imo State Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No 9 of 2009”, they were also charged for “conspiracy to commit arson, willful and unlawful setting on fire a 29-room bungalow, property of Ezinna Boniface Nwulu (m) valued at N55m, an offence punishable under Section 443(a) of the Criminal Code Cap (C38) laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, as applicable in Imo State”
Herbert Uba and the accused persons were charged for willfully and unlawfully setting on fire 24-room bungalow belonging to Benjamin Dikem, valued at N54m, 11-room bungalow belong to one Ihedioha Ogbuanu valued at N20m, 30-room bungalow belonging to Nwaneri Raymond valued at N40m, 20-room bungalow belonging to Pastor Chidi Ogbuanu valued N30m and other buildings belonging to some residents of the Community.
When the matter came up for hearing, no plea was taken because the magistrate court presided by C. Onii-Egbunike has no jurisdiction to hear the matter and the accused were not granted bail but remanded in prison custody.
It would be recalled that the recent composition of CGC members have continued to attract controversy as people of questionable characters and criminal suspects were imposed on people as CGC members.
In another development, women from Umuokanne also in Ohaji/Egbema LGA stormed Owerri to protest the inclusion of one Fidelia Dimkpa as the Woman Leader of the Community.
According to the women in their protest to the Imo State House of Assembly where they were received by Hon Luke Chukwu, the person whose name appeared is not a member of the women group as she has never participated in the activities of the women in the autonomous.
The spokesperson, Dame Ngozi Eke noted that it was unacceptable and wrong for unknown person and a woman not living with them as a married person to take charge of the woman leader position in CGC when there are other capable and acceptable women leaders short listed by the women to lead.
The women urged the Imo Assembly, Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Government, the Community GLO, Rev Emma Ebomuche if ISOPADEC and the state government to intervene and avoid a breakdown of law and order in Umuokanne to allow a person granted persona non grata take charge of the women.
Responding, Hon Chukwu assured them that their matter will be looked into before this week Thursday.
