News
Face Your Fraudulent Cases and Leave “Governor Mbah Alone,” ALGON Deputy Chair Fires Back at Iyere
…………… says Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is prudently using Enugu State resources for the betterment of the state.
The Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, Hon. Barr. Ugo-Ferdinand Ukwueze, has taken a jibe at the self-acclaimed founder of the Obidient Movement, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, over invective comments against the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
Barr. Ukwueze made this known on Monday while responding to a video made by the Coordinator-General of the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP), Comrade Kennedy Iyere, where he made a series of vituperative comments against Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and asserted that he was a mistake made by the people of Enugu State.
He stated that Comrade Iyere, who is currently under investigation for alleged fraud to the tune of ₦113,508,757, is a renowned extortionist, empty threat-peddler, disingenuous and perfidious fellow who feeds on smear merchandising. He said Iyere should be focused on clearing his name from the financial scandal rocking NIYEEDEP, following allegations by Silver Green Hotel Ltd and others that he defrauded them.
“It is unfortunate that a man battling serious fraud allegations would abandon the task of clearing his name to engage in reckless attacks. Such conduct exposes desperation, not courage, and confirms a pattern of extortion, blackmail, and smear campaigns driven by personal greed rather than public interest.”
He posited that Iyere, who once campaigned for Governor Mbah and urged other gubernatorial candidates to support him after he won the election, should be worried about his declining reputation, noting that he is fast becoming an embodiment of greed and gluttony.
Barr. Ukwueze also questioned Iyere’s integrity and patriotism following his suspicious withdrawal from the Edo State governorship race under the Accord Party in 2024, a few days to the election, after an alleged settlement with the candidate of the ruling party.
He further countered Iyere’s claim that Governor Mbah was broke before the 2023 general election, describing the statement as malicious and driven by deep-seated bitterness.
“When someone lies openly about a man’s past and success, it only shows envy and hatred. These statements were not facts but carefully planned falsehoods meant to mislead the public and tarnish the image of a Governor whose record speaks louder than noise. The records of his assets declaration are there at the Code of Conduct Bureau for all to see. This is a man who has been constructing roads, building hospitals and schools before becoming the Governor and still has not reneged on doing more. What then is Comrade Iyere talking about being broke? It shows how daft in brain that he is.”
The ALGON Enugu State number two also warned Iyere to mind the language he uses against a Governor who leads over seven million people, urging him to desist from hate speech.
He also wondered why Iyere would allege that Governor Mbah told unnamed friends that he had settled him, without stating who was told, where it was said, or why such a settlement would occur.
“You cannot make serious allegations without facts, names, places, or reasons. Leadership demands responsibility. Spreading vague stories without proof is dangerous, dishonest, and capable of causing unnecessary tension. Such claims should be backed with evidence or withdrawn completely.”
Barr. Ukwueze also educated Comrade Iyere on how Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has prudently utilized the state’s revenues, which he said has earned him wide public acclaim and several Governor-of-the-Year awards from notable organizations.
“The Governor is using state funds to build roads, schools, hospitals, and security systems. We have 260 Type 2 hospitals, 260 smart schools, 17 science schools, a 300-bedded international hospital, an international conference hotel, six aircraft under Enugu Air, more than 4,000 km of roads being constructed and completed across the state, security CCTV cameras, ultra-modern command and control centres, revival of Niger Gas and other moribund state-owned industries, amongst others. All these and more are what Governor Mbah has been doing with our money, as Enugu has turned into a construction site. People can see development everywhere. That is why Enugu is progressing and why many groups recognize him as Governor of the Year.”
The Methodist Church Nigeria has honoured the General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, with the prestigious “Apostle of Faith Award” in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian services and contributions to community development.
The award was presented by the Methodist Diocese of Akegbe, Aninri and Awgu Archdiocese (AAA) under the leadership of Rt. Rev. C. Orji, the Methodist Bishop of AAA Diocese, Enugu.
According to the Church, the honour was bestowed on Hon. Ani in acknowledgment of his selfless commitment to community development, social welfare, and humanitarian service over the years. The Church noted that his contributions have transcended political considerations and have positively impacted countless lives across communities.
His consistent humanitarian interventions have earned him the popular title “Odoziobodo”, meaning “one who builds and restores communities.”
Hon. Ani is widely regarded as a passionate advocate for community service, driven by a desire to improve living standards and promote love, unity, and a sense of
belonging among the people. His dedication reflects Christ’s teaching on the greatest commandment—love for God and love for one’s neighbour—placing service to humanity at the centre of purposeful living.
Due to his unavoidable absence, the award was received on his behalf and later presented to him at his office by Dr. Okechukwu Animba, Vice President (South-East) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
Responding to the honour, Hon. Ani expressed profound gratitude to Rt. Rev. C. Orji and the entire Methodist Diocese for recognising his humanitarian efforts. He prayed for God’s continued grace and strength to serve humanity and touch more lives through his work.
He also appreciated his principal, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for appointing him to lead the CSDA, an agency charged with driving community interventions and sustainable development across the state.
When the Enugu State House of Assembly adopted the report of its Special Committee on Land Matters and Disputes in 2024, many observers described it as a watershed moment in the long-running controversy surrounding the Centenary City land in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
The report attracted national attention because it tackled a dispute that had generated numerous court cases, allegations of intimidation, destruction of property, community unrest, and claims involving some of the most influential figures in the state.
For many residents of Amechi and Obeagu, the Assembly’s intervention provided the first official platform where their grievances appeared to receive impartial consideration. The committee’s findings were widely commended for their detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the acquisition and development of over 1,097 hectares of ancestral land.
At the heart of the controversy was the allegation that Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), operating under a development agreement with the Enugu State Government, relied on questionable documents to assert rights over vast portions of land originally linked to a proposed university project initiated during the administration of former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Jim Nwobodo.
After reviewing submissions from the parties, the Assembly committee identified several inconsistencies in documents connected with the acquisition process. Among its findings were concerns regarding the authenticity of a survey plan purportedly prepared for the “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” in 1985, despite the fact that Enugu State had not yet been created at that time.
Controversial Enugu Centenary Land: A Daniel Has Come To Judgement
The committee also questioned the authenticity of signatures and official endorsements appearing on key documents, including survey records, gazette notices, and correspondences allegedly executed on behalf of traditional authorities in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
Based on these findings, the committee concluded that the host communities had established that they were not properly carried along in the acquisition process and recommended dialogue, compensation, government intervention, and a comprehensive audit of lands developed under the Centenary City project.
At the time, many hailed the report as evidence that the legislature was willing to confront powerful interests in defence of justice and accountability.
Two years later, events appear to have given fresh significance to those findings.
Today, Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited are facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Enugu, in connection with the alleged forgery of a survey plan linked to the disputed acquisition of ancestral lands in Amechi and Obeagu communities.
According to the charge sheet in Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, the defendants are accused of conspiring to forge a survey plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” purportedly dated 1985.
The prosecution alleges that the defendants knowingly made or uttered the survey plan as a genuine document despite its alleged falsity. The offences are said to be punishable under relevant provisions of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The criminal charges have drawn renewed attention to the conclusions reached by the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2024, particularly its observations regarding inconsistencies surrounding the same survey plan and related acquisition documents.
The developments have also prompted further advocacy from civil society organisations. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Police Monitoring Unit to take over investigations and prosecutions connected with the dispute, investigate allegations of misconduct against certain police officers, and review criminal proceedings allegedly used for harassment and intimidation.
In a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, RULAAC also urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, citing repeated failures by law enforcement authorities to produce defendants for arraignment.
The cases include Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others, and Charge No. FHC/EN/CR/222/2024, IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others.
As the criminal proceedings continue, many observers believe the matter has entered a decisive phase. The allegations that were once the subject of community petitions, legislative inquiries and public debate are now before a court of law for determination.
Whether the Assembly’s 2024 report marked the beginning of accountability or merely one chapter in a much longer struggle remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the issues raised by the Amechi and Obeagu communities have not faded away. Instead, they have evolved into a legal test that could shape public confidence in land administration, governance and the rule of law in Enugu State for years to come.
If the legislative findings, criminal investigations and court proceedings ultimately converge on the truth, then many residents may indeed conclude that, at long last, a Daniel has come to judgment.
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
-
News5 days agoPower Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike
-
Politics4 days agoSpeaker suspended over anti-party activities
-
Crime5 days agoEnugu Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, kill 2 Suspects, Recover AK-47, Other Weapons
-
Crime4 days agoPosters of Abducted Seven Teachers, 39 Pupils Flood Oyo Communities
-
News4 days ago
Rights Group Petitions IGP, Seeks Probe of Police Role in Controversial Enugu Land Disputes
-
Politics2 days agoSenate: Enugu West Aspirant OAU Onyema Quits NDC, Alleges Manipulation of Party Primaries
-
News4 days agoPolice Declare 6 IPOB Members Wanted Over Protests Against Kanu’s Jail Terms
-
Crime4 days agoAbducted Students: Oyo Assembly refuses to negotiatie with bandits