~ Says Nwoye involved in several lies, campaign of calumny against him
By Ifeizu Joe
South Africa-based businessman man, Chief Vincent Udobi, popularly known by his title Ike Dunukofia or Onwa Ifitedunu has described allegations made against him by the former President General of Ifitedunu community, Chief Uchenna Nwoye as lies.
Nwoye in an interview had among other things stated that he was attacked by Udobi and his thugs in 2023, and that Udobi’s hatred for him led to a vendetta war because he, Nwoye floored Udobi’s candidate in an election for the seat of PG of Ifitedunu.
But Udobi has denied the allegations, insisting that his battles against Nwoye were not personal, but geared towards salvaging the community from Nwoye, who he claimed was high-handed then.
A statement forwarded to THE RAZOR in defence of Udobi read: “For the purpose of setting the record straight, we wish to make the following clarifications. Mr. Uchenna Nwoye was not the first President General of Ifitedunu Community. Several distinguished sons of the community held that office before him.
“Long before Mr. Nwoye assumed office, Chief Vincent Udobi had distinguished himself as one of the foremost contributors to the development of Ifitedunu Community. Among numerous projects credited to him are the construction of a storey building for the Women General, the provision of a Corps Members’ Lounge, and substantial financial contributions toward the completion of the Ifitedunu Civic Centre, a project that had remained unfinished for over four decades.
“During the administration of the immediate past President General, Chief Samuel Nweke, the Civic Centre project was brought to completion with significant support from Chief Vincent Udobi. In recognition of the contributions made by various individuals, commemorative plaques were installed at the project site.”
The statement claimed that upon assuming office, Nwoye ordered the removal of the plaque acknowledging contributors, including Chief Vincent Udobi. He said the action generated controversy within the community and reportedly led to divisions within Nwoye’s executive committee.
He said: “The disagreement between them did not arise from any personal vendetta, rather, it evolved from a series of community-related disputes and allegations made by Nwoye against Udobi.
“At various times, Nwoye allegedly circulated messages and publications accusing Udobi of serious wrongdoing. These allegations were strongly denied and became the subject of legal proceedings. Community leaders, elders, and stakeholders reportedly made repeated efforts to encourage reconciliation and amicable resolution. However, those efforts did not succeed.
“It is further our position that Nwoye was involved in legal proceedings relating to defamatory statements made against Udobi. Despite opportunities for reconciliation and apology, he allegedly chose to continue litigation until judgment was eventually delivered.
“The public should also understand the true background of the incident relating to Nkwo Market, which Mr. Nwoye now seeks to portray as evidence of personal persecution.
“The dispute concerned communal land belonging to the people of Ifitedunu. According to community stakeholders, construction of lock-up shops commenced on the market land and allocations were allegedly made without the approval of the relevant community authorities, including the five village chairmen, stakeholders, and representatives of the traditional institution.
“Several attempts were reportedly made by community leaders to address the matter peacefully and to halt further development pending consultation and approval. When those efforts proved unsuccessful, stakeholders, village representatives, and traditional authorities visited the site to enforce the community’s position.”
He added that the controversy surrounding the Nkwo Market land arose when Nwoye allegedly embarked on the construction and allocation of lock-up shops on communal market land belonging to the people of Ifitedunu. According to community stakeholders, the shops were being allocated to interested persons for sums reportedly running into approximately ₦2.5 million per shop without the knowledge, approval, or authorization of the relevant community organs.
While Nwoye insists that his brutalization was on the order of Udobi, the businessman (Udobi) said it was the community that simply mobilized to Nkwo Market to enforce their stand on the Nkwo market matter. Both men are however in court, and the matter with suit number NN/10.C/2025 comes up at the High Court, Awka on June 19.
