Crisis is brewing in Okpuloji-Akwa village, Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area over an alleged demolition of property belonging to Benedict Obi, an Onitsha-based businessman and illustrious son of the community, by his kinsmen.
Narrating his ordeal to journalists, Obi said his building project he started in 2020 has been severely demolished by his kinsmen, who he said, have vowed to stop at nothing to ensure he does not build on the land, which he inherited from his late father.
Obi explained that the land, which is located in front of his ancestral home in Iruokolocha kindred was acquired by his father and was not subject to any dispute until he commenced construction, sparking off a row with his relatives who he said claimed that their father’s grave was buried on the land.
He said, “I intended to build on my father’s land in front of our house, which he acquired during his lifetime. The land was not in dispute. I lived in my father’s house before deciding to build my own house in 2020. We live in a general compound where my grandfather had multiple wives, each with their own separate huts. My father was the first son, so we inherited the Obi.
“My mother had always dreamed that her son would build a house, and after her passing, I decided to fulfill her dream by building a structure on the land. Unfortunately, two of my father’s brothers were buried on the land without our notice, as my father was living in Onitsha at the time. However, it was later resolved and my father told me that there is a traditional way of relocating graveyards, which should be done whenever we want to use the land.
“My father and mother are late now. In 2021, I invited Fr. Ebube Muonso blessed the land for me to commence my project, and all of my relatives were present but did not complain.
“When I put up my fence, the first son of the man reported me to the kingsmen, claiming that I was building on their father’s land. The kinsmen stopped the building work and investigated the matter. They ruled that since I had told everyone before starting construction that I would fund the relocation of the graveyard, which I did, the land was mine. Everything was documented in their minute book.”
According to him, despite relocating the grave and obtaining approval from community leaders, his relatives have continued to harass and demolish his fence. He said despite his efforts to report the matter to the security agencies, they continued to cause trouble.
“If you check, this is not a new structure, and it has been standing for five years. They were all aware of the structure when it was built. Suddenly, they started attacking my fence with the intention to demolish it. When I asked who was responsible, I was told it was my relatives. I reported the matter to my lawyer, who advised me to report it to the state Criminal Investigation Department (State CID). I submitted my statement to the state CID on November 7 but because of the election, the matter was not given immediate attention.
“On November 11, they continued the demolition, and I reported it to the State CID again, who invited me and asked me to write another statement. On November 12, they came to arrest them, but one of them escaped. The other two were arrested and boasted that they would not stay in detention for more than 10 minutes, claiming that their ‘oga at the top’ has the police in his pockets. They said they can do anything and get away with it.
“To my surprise, they were released within two hours and went on to demolish my property again, around 11 pm, the following day. We were told to come back on November 13, but they did not show up. They have been invited to the police station several times but have refused to turn up, threatening me that I should abide by their demands or face the consequences.”
Obi alleged that an influential man in his community is orchestrating his torment, using his own cousins and relatives to harass him for standing up against the incessant arrest and intimidation of youths in his village.
He emphasized that the land was never a point of contention within their extended family, but rather, his relatives have been instigated to sabotage his project on his inherited land.
“Our Ifitedunu community has been in a state of crisis for a long time. It is our village’s turn to produce a leader, but they are trying to deny us that right, and our youths are being arrested and detained by this influential man at the slightest utterances. I’m not contesting any position, but because I stood up to challenge the injustice, they marked me for destruction.
“It’s a clear case of gang-up, and it’s particularly disturbing that they are using my own brothers including Nkeadi Obi, Chibuike Obi, and Mr. Chidiebere Obi against me. I’m living in constant fear, especially since they are usually armed with guns and other deadly weapons, and seem to be above the law.
“The fact that they have demolished my property multiple times – on November 3, 6, 11, and 13 – without facing any consequences, makes me worry that my life is next on their hit list. Ifitedunu is in bondage. Those instigating the crisis claim to be from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, and boast that they can get away with anything.”
He appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene in the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice, saying that the level of violence and lawlessness in the community is getting out of hand.
“I want Soludo to come to my aid and that of Ifitedunu because the level of rascality going on in our town is getting out of hand. Nobody has the monopoly of violence. Nobody has the right to take laws into their hands,” he said.
He also urged human rights organizations and well-meaning individuals to come to his aid, saying that he is being targeted and persecuted by his own people. He promised to continue to fight for justice, saying that he will not be intimidated or silenced.
Giving his account of the dispute, Christopher Ifeanacho, former village chairman, corroborated that the dispute may have been sponsored by an outsider to cause trouble in the family.
“The matter was settled, and they shouldn’t be allowed to continue demolishing his property. We had ruled that the graveyard be relocated, and they all agreed. Benedict even funded the relocation. Now, they’re going back on their word and defying our ruling. This has been going on since 2021, and they’re still causing trouble.
“It’s clear they’re being instigated. Our town is plagued with problems, and Benedict Okonkwo is the only one brave enough to speak out against the irregularities. That’s why they are targeting him, trying to bring him down.”
Also in their comments, 78 year-old Cyril Nwankwo, and Theresa Nwafor Akpaka, both from the Okpuluoji-Akwa village, urged the relatives to embrace peace and shun further violence, appealing to them to respect the community’s ruling and allow Benedict Okonkwo to enjoy his property in peace.
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