By Our correspondent
The State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees( NULGE),
Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu
has called on the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo,to suspend the Head of Orumba South Local Government Administration (HLGA),Mr. Jonathan Uzoigwe, for beating up a female worker of the council, Mrs. Ogwo Scholastica Anulika.
Addressing the press, Chikwelu said,”The HLGA assault on workers has been Uzoigwe’s routine character. Uzoigwe’s case has been a reoccurring issue, we have recieved several reports against him in the past which we have relayed to the relevant authorities.
He said the leadership of NULGE in Anambra under his watch would not take the matter lightly, adding, “we will ensure justice for Mrs. Anulika.”
“The HLGA will take care of the hospital bills, all the financial implications and other damages he has caused”, the NULGE chairman vowed.
Anulika, our correspondent gathered is the chairperson of NULGE in Orumba South Local Government Area.
She was allegedly attacked and beaten by Uzoigwe for addressing workers ahead of the Nation’s 63th Independence day celebration, holding on Sunday, 1st October, 2023.
Speaking with Journalists in Awka, Anulika said she was beaten to stupor by Uzoigwe in an attempt to stop her from addressing workers for the celebration as directed by the Council Transition Committee Chairman, adding that the quick intervention of the security officers attached to the Council Area saved her from being beaten to death.
She said the incident happened at the Council Secretariat
According to her: “I was given the 63th Independence Anniversary invitation as the NULGE Chairperson in the Area by the Social Welfare Unit in the Council, so, I have to informed the workers that the Council Chairman has invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday.
“While addressing the workers, the HLGA, Mr Chidozie, angrily came out of his office and ordered me to stop addressing workers, noting that there is nothing like NULGE in Orumba South and Anambra State in general and in the process of trying to resolved the issue, he started beating me without considering that I am a married woman.
“During the attack, I sustained fracture in my right hand and bruises in other part of my body.
“If not for the quick intervention of the security officers in the area, I don’t know what would have happened to me by now. I thanked God Almighty for spearing my life,” sobbed.
She said she had made official report to the Local Government Service Commission and NULGE.
She appealed to the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to call the HLGA to order to avoid further break down of law and order in the Council Area.
In a swift reaction, Uzoigwe denied the allegation, saying it was a taboo beat a married woman in Igbo land.
According to him, nothing of such happened in the Council Area.
“How do you expect me, a HLGA to insult myself by beaten a junior Staff. How will this sound before the public? When there are procedures and rules I would have applied if truly such case happened. My rank is above beating any junior staff. I did not beat her. It is a fabrication plan by her and the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, to tarnished the hard end reputation I have build for decades across the state.
“The bandage she is tieing around her hand is a plan to spoil my name before the state government and the general public.The general public should please disregard the information, Uzoigwe stated.
