……….As Eze Nwokedi Demands Apology, Accuses Him of Spreading False Information.
Emmanuel lkpeama
Eze Ambassador .C.C.Nwokedi, Chairman of Council of Igbo leaders in Lagos State, has demanded a public apology from Chief Chibuike Azubuike(Self acclaimed Obi of Ndigbo)for allegedly spreading false allegations linking him to Azubuike’s arrest and prosecution over Obi Ndigbo title.
Speaking with newsmen,Eze Nwokedi claims Azubuike falsely accused him of orchestrating his troubles and warned he’ll take legal action if Azubuike doesn’t apologize within 14 days.
He says Azubuike spread false information, damaging his reputation, noting that his dealings with Azubuike were limited and the accusations are baseless.
According to Nwokedi who is also the Okpoko 1 of Obodoukwu town in Imo State stated that he only met Azubuike twice when he came to his office and advised him against unveiling a N1.5b palace, fearing it would cause tension between Igbo and Yoruba communities in Lagos State.
“I am from Obodoukwu town in Imo State. I met Chief Chibuike Azubuike, so-called Obi, two times.The first was during our town union meeting and the other one was from my friend, Chief Chris, who introduced him to me and told me that he is from Obodoukwu town.”
“I don’t know him from anywhere in Obodoukwu, neither have I seen him in Obodoukwu. So, he came to my office, brought an invitation card and a drink saying that he was organizing an event.”
“When I opened the invitation, I read what he wrote on the Invitation Card: Unveiling of Obi Ndigbo Lagos Palace of N1.5b.
“I asked him, how can you write unveiling of palace? I have not seen where they are doing unveiling of palace and this thing is not good and the bank doesn’t have that kind of money.
“This will bring doubts between Igbo and Yoruba because we are in Yoruba land. Here is not our land. I advised him as my brother not to share the Invitation Card.”
“I cautioned that this unveiling of palace of N1.5 billion will bring problem between the Igbo and Yoruba. I said it here and God is my witness. He came with four people and according to him,nothing will happen, that he has seen the CP, AIG and other top security agencies.”
“I also advised him not to do that at Amuwo-Odofin and if he must do it there, he should contact the Igbo leader there because there was already an issue among the Igbo leaders in Amuwo Odofin.
“I was telling him as the elder and as my brother. I mentioned that if he had told me what he wanted to do, I would have advise against him doing it in Amuwo Odofin.”
“He went ahead and did the first jingle, my picture was not there. He did the second jingle after he came to my office. He snapped a picture that I took in 2015 when I was a High Chief.”
“However, on the 8th of September, while I was in my house, he called me and said that the Police invited him and he was eventually detained at the Command.
“I later went to the Command, met him and gave him N30,000, as well as two other suspects detained along with him, I gave them N8,000 each. I made every efforts to get them released by contacting my friends in the Police top hierarchy as my town people asked me to assist.
“It was in the process that I was told that the matter was from the Oba of Lagos. And I saw the petition written by the Oba in Amuwo Odofin and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and the Police informed me that they will take them to Court.
“I told Azubuike what I discovered and what was happening, but he said that I don’t know the Police authority and that he will use his contact to get released within seven days.”
“They were eventually charged before the Court and I went to the court more than four or five times for their release before they were eventually granted bail.”
“I was shocked when people were meeting me, saying that I was the one who ordered for his arrest that I was jealous that he is Obi Ndigbo but I kept quiet because we are from the same town.”
“I have called the chairman of the Lagos branch and informed him and I have also called some men notifying them of what’s happening.”
“Now, I want him to call a press conference and bring proof that I was the person that wrote the petition as he claimed and if he doesn’t do it, I will give him 14 days to tender a public apology.
“If he doesn’t do it, I will then take legal actions against him for malicious defamation of character and cyber crime” Nwokedi submitted