Anambra community, cleric lock horns over land
Elders allege harassment, intimidation
THE people of Uruebo village, Nkwele Ezunaka community in Oyi Council of Anambra State, are alleging harassment and intimidation of their elders and youths by Rev. Fr. Chibuzor Obimma ( a. k. a. Ebube
Muonso) and his brother, Charles Obimma.
Elders of the village claimed that Charles Obimma, whose tenure as village chairman had expired, wanted to cling to power, fuelling their suspicion that he was using his influence to sell the community’s land.
But the Catholic cleric said he could not be intimidated, urging aggrieved parties to seek legal redress.
“Let them release the press report; it is to my advantage. Army and police reports are ready. So those elders will join in the court charges for false information,” he said.
Wielding placards, the youths marched round the village yesterday.
Addressing newsmen yesterday, 89- year- old Ogbuefi Abel Okafor traced the problem to 2014 when Charles Obimma won election as the village chairman.
He said: “In December 2019 when he was expected to come home and hand over before the next election, we did not see him. Francis Okafor was elected as chairman. Four days later, Okafor was arrested by the police and framed up for armed robbery and kidnapping.
“As we are here protesting, bulldozers are on the land, clearing it. We have said no to this, and the only thing his brother ( Emmanuel Obimma) could do was to bring in a combined team of security men, including military men, to arrest our youths for kidnapping. Eleven other youths arrested by the police and are still in detention since June this year.”
Another traditional chief, Augustine Okadigbo, 75, said they had reported the matter to the Catholic authorities and petitioned the Inspector General of Police ( IGP).
On behalf of the village, he urged state government to call the Obimmas to order. “We have over seven other priests in this village and we have not had this kind of experience from them. We urge the police authority to stand by the truth, release our children, investigate the matter to ascertain the problems in Uruebo village,” he added. However, the priest said he had wanted to release the detainees based on people’s plea, but that they were not remorseful. “Let’s see how it will end. Let them prepare for court.”