Chinedum Treasure
A 67-year-old man, Peter Ofodum has raised the alarm over alleged intimidation and threat to his life by his cousins over land ownership.
He sought intervention of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to end the lingering tussle surrounding the four plots of land located at ifite village in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking to reporters in Awka on Tuesday,
Ofodum said his cousins, Mr Chinedu and Christopher Okaka charged him to Otuocha High Court-l in 2019 to claim the land which he inherited from his late father.
He however said the Court has refused to hear the matter since they made their first appearance in 2019.
He said, “I reported the matter to Police at Zone 13, Ukpo and the Ifite welfare association, Ogbunike. They intervened and asked my cousins to sign an undertaken to stop harassing and threatening my family.
“But to my surprise, on May 28, my cousins came with thugs to bury the corpse of one of their late wives Mrs Chinenye Okaka, inside my compound. I tried to stop them but the thugs started shooting and my family and I ran to secure our lives.
“By the time we came back, my cousin had buried his wife inside my compound. The police and the village leaders eventually came, but up till now nothing has been done.
“They have continued to threaten me and my family boasting that they will take ownership of my four plots of land. I’m appealing to Gov. Soludo to intervene and save my family.”
Ofodum also urged the Governor to prevail on Otuocha High Court-l to grant the matter accelerated hearing, insisting the court remained last hope of the common man.
Also speaking, Chairman, Ifite Village Welfare Association, Mr John Obi said they tried to settle the matter but to no avail.
“As lawful representatives of Ifite Village, Ogbunike, we waded into the matter but the cousins of Mr Ofodum have continued to carry out actions that is posing security risks to the peace and well-being of the community.
“We seek for timely intervention of the court, since the matter is before the Otuocha High Court-l, the State Government and the Police, to avoid break down of law and order which will affect our community,” he said.
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