Concerned Citizens of Amankpaka Community Ugwogo Nike have written to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi calling for the withdrawal of earlier recommended Engr. Damian Ede as the Igwe-elect of the proposed Amankpa Autonomous Community, Enugu East LGA, Enugu State.
In the letter signed by their lawyer Eric Ogudu Esq. the concerned citizens said they are making the withdrawal in the interest of justice and fair play.
Led by Chief Oguegbe Festus Aneto, the secretary General of Amakpaka General Assembly, the group noted that the community has lost the trust for which they recommended the Igwe elect sometimes in 2017.
“We are writing upon our client’s instruction because Amankpaka Community is a Peace loving Community and which Peace has been the hallmark of your administration since its inception in 2015.
“It has been established that Chief Edeh Damian Ikechukwu have breached the trust of the Community being the reason for his earlier recommendation as the traditional ruler upon the grant and or approval of Amakpaka Autonomous Community.
“Your Excellency, Amankpaka Community are making some clandestine moves to truncate the ills, mismanagement of community /communal Land, alleged embezzlement of community fund and alleged fraudulent act he has inflicted on Amankpaka Community as self made Chief.”
The community said they are making moves through Legal process to stop him and to redress the alleged injustice, lies and deceit continually being inflicted on the peaceful community.
“Your Excellency, Amankpaka Community wishes to bring this to your attention that Engr. Chief Damian Ikechukwu Edeh and his allies have caused Amankpaka Community to institute legal action against them in (1) Suit No E/590/2020 before His Lordship Justice Ogbuabor of Enugu High Court, for interpretation of Amankpaka Constitution which they allegedly breached.
“(2) Suit No E/831/2020 before His Lordship Justice Aja, against Chief Damian Ikechukwu for self acclaimed CHIEF of Amankpaka community (3) Suit No E/832/2020 before His Lordship, K.I Okpe against Hon. Gabriel Onu, Chief Damian Edeh for accountability of their stewardship from 2016 to date of writing this petition.
“(4) Suit No CME/288/2021 before Chief Magistrate Idu against Hon. Gabriel Onuh, Chief Damian Edeh and orders for illegal constitution of Power of Attorny and or self imposition of power.”
They alleged that in the year 2014, Chief Damian Ikechukwu Edeh and Hon. Gabriel Onuh embezzled the sum of N40m which was allegedly diverted into personal Account No. 1013323168 allayed to belong to Chief Damian Ikechukwu Edeh; that an ORDER was allegedly granted against them by His Lordship Justice R.O. ODUGU of Enugu High Court.
They further accused Chief Engr. Edeh of allegedly involving himself in fraudulent sale of Community lands.
He was alleged to have conspired with a former Chairman of the Power of Attorney, Ho, Gab Onuh among others to allegedly embezzle over N3.6bn stressing that the matter is currently being investigated by the EFCC Abuja.
Sequel to the allegations against the Igwe elect, the concerned citizens stated that, ” the said Unanimous recommendation of Chief Damian Ikechukwu Edeh dated 30th January 2017 has been withdrawn by the community.
Despite the withdrawal, the Community urged the Governor to grant the request for creation of the proposed Autonomous Community.
“The Community shall ever remain grateful for the approval of the Amankpaka Community but without the installation of Engr. Damian Ikechukwu Edeh as the Traditional Ruler.”
Efforts to reach the Igwe elect proved abortive as at the time of this report.
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