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Alleged Fraud: Trouble looms for suspended Enugu Councilor

Published

3 years ago

July 13, 2023

There is more trouble looming for the embattled Councillor representing Umualor Ward in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State, Hon. Maxwell Aluagbo who was recently suspended by the Isi-Uzo Legislative Council.

Emerging documentary evidence shows that the sum of N1.1 million was indeed paid into his account for a palliative programme for Internally Displaced Persons in his community, Umualor.

Contrary to his claim that Isi-Uzo Local Government Council withheld his wardrobe allowance on the orders of the Council Chairman, Hon. Obiora Obeagu, for attending the post-inauguration reception of the House of Assembly Member representing Isi-Uzo, Hon. Gabriel Eze, on 13 June 2023, emerging facts show that the last batch of wardrobe allowance was paid to Councillors about 21 days before the inauguration of the State Assembly.

There are proof that the Isi-Uzo LG Council paid the wardrobe allowances of seven Councilors last year between September 2nd to 7th, 2022 and the remaining Councilors paid between April 20th and 3rd May, 2023.

There is also evidence that between 25th and 26th May, 2023, before the 29th May handover date, Isi-Uzo Council Chairman had also finished paying wardrobe allowances to Supervisors/SPAs except one that had a petition against him.

Recall that the Isi-Uzo Legislative Council had on Wednesday, 6th July suspended Hon. Aluagbo for allegedly embezzling the funds meant to alleviate the suffering of IDPs, who took refuge at Umualor and other IDP camps in Isi-Uzo following the Eha-Amufu-herders crisis that led to loss of lives and property.

He was also accused by his colleagues of divulging matters discussed during an executive session of the Legislative Council in clear violation of Rule 3(e) of the Legislative house.

Moving a motion for Aluagbo’s suspension, the Majority Leader, who is also the Councilor representing Neke Ward 2, Hon. Nnabuike Ugwu, expressed worry over the petitions by stakeholders and leaders of Umualor community that the sum of N1.1 released by the Council to alleviate the sufferings of IDPs in their community was yet to be released many months after.

Summarizing the debate, which saw many Councillors express anger over the report, the Leader of Isi-uzo Legislature, Hon. Irenus Anene Nnaji, described the allegations as serious and unfortunate, saying it was a sacrilege for anyone to tamper with funds meant to deliver democracy dividends to the people of Isi-Uzo, let alone funds meant for IDPs.

The Legislative Council, therefore, constituted a three-man Committee to further investigate the allegations and report back.

However, in a swift reaction, the embattled Councillor, Hon. Maxwell Aluagbo took to the social media and some online news channels to allege that he was being witch-hunted by the Council Chairman, Hon. Obeagu, for attending the reception organized by Member representing Isi-Uzo State Constituency, Hon. Eze, after his inauguration on 13th June.

But, facts show that the sum o f N1.1 million was transferred to Maxwell Aluagbo’s UBA account number 2066599607 on March 3, 2023, while payment of wardrobe allowances was concluded 21 days before the said House of Assembly inauguration and reception.

A Councillor representing one of the Isi-Uzo wards, who, however, preferred not to be named in print since he was not authorized to speak on the matter under further investigation said the allegation by Aluagbo that he was not paid wardrobe for attending the inauguration of the Labour Party House of Assembly Member “is patently false”.

He said: “The truth is that Maxwell Aluagbo is under investigation for embezzling the N1.1 million paid into his account for the benefit of his community. As a matter of fact, I was around the day he came to the Chairman’s office begging for a soft-landing. He said he used the money to weather a storm in his business and pleaded with the Council Chairman that the money be recovered by the Council through using his wardrobe allowance in lieu. So, I’m in shock that the same man has suddenly turned around to make the wild allegations.

“Who cares if he attends a post-inauguration reception in the moon. And by the way, is Hon. Gabriel Eze not our son? Being in Labour Party does not take away the fact that he is a bonafide Isi-Uzo son.

“Besides, Maxwell Aluagbo still receives his salaries and overheads as a Councilor like everyone of us till date. So, why didn’t the Council Chairman stop those payments too if he was being victimized as he claimed. He is not smart at all and people should be careful what they support for partisan reasons because what is at issue here is money meant for IDPs. Maybe they don’t understand what it means to be in IDP.

“In fact, I expect Labour Party as responsible political organisation to investigate him too. Embezzlement is not what Peter Obi stands for”, he stated.

He dismissed the allegation by Hon. Aluagbo that the N1.1 million he was paid was used to halt the impeachment of the Council Chairman.

“It is interesting that from claiming that he had never seen N1 million at once in his life, he has now agreed that he indeed received the money. But his claim that he used it to ward off Hon. Obeagu’s impeachment is preposterous and stupid.

“We know how the system works across Nigeria. Where in Nigeria have you ever heard that Councillors were able to impeach their Chairman. Who born you? How did he become a Councillor in the first place? Besides, we have never had issues with our Chairman, Hon. Obeagu let alone serving him an impeachment notice. So, which impeachment is he talking about? By the way, who is Maxwell Aluagbo? Who can he influence?

“The truth is that he goofed and he is being used by aggrieved Labour Party members and some of their PDP cohorts like himself to misinform the public”.

The Councillor also alleged that Aluagbo has been at loggerheads with the Isi-Uzo Legislative Council leadership for breaking the House rules.

“Every institution has a rule. We have the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly Rules. Likewise, we have Rules for the Isi-Uzo Legislative Council. Rule 3(e) is clear that you don’t go divulging what was discussed in an Executive Session (closed door session) of the Legislature. It is a standard international practice. But he did”, the Councillor added.

Meanwhile, contrary to the allegation of diversion of palliatives made against the Council Chairman, Members of the different communities affected by the Eha-Amufu-herders crisis confirmed that the Council actually distributed palliatives to them in two phases.

There are reports from Isi-Uzo that the Council Chairman recently attended the Survival thanksgiving of St. Paul’s Catholic Church Ndi-Agu, Aguamede, Eha-Amufu and personally promised and sponsored the delivery of palliatives to poor widows and indigent locals in the community.

“The truth is that with available evidence, the suspended Maxwell Aluagbo is a drowning man who is being prodded and used by some individuals for propaganda to whip up sentiments, deceive, and distract the public from the crime he committed”, a town union president alleged.

In the meantime, reports and evidence show that the embattled Councilor has been making frantic efforts behind the scene to reach the Council Chairman for a soft-landing.

Every effort to reach the Council Chairman failed. However, sources close to him said being a lawyer, he had made up his mind to drag both Aluagbo and publishers of the alleged defamatory publications to court.

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1966 Coup: Aguiyi-Ironsi family honours Fajuyi’s ‘supreme sacrifice’

Published

15 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The family of the late former Head of State, Maj Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has paid tribute to the late Lt Col Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his death as a “supreme and heroic sacrifice” that remains one of the most defining symbols of loyalty and national unity in Nigeria’s history.

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.

It further appreciated Nigerians, institutions, and well-meaning individuals who had consistently honoured the memory of Fajuyi, describing such support as proof that “the sacrifice of a true patriot is never forgotten.”

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.

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Anambra APP Celebrates Ugochinyere’s Emergence As Reps Minority Leader

Published

23 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

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 .

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Rights Group Petitions IGP, Seeks Probe of Police Role in Controversial Enugu Land Disputes

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, over alleged abuse of office and misuse of police powers by officers of the Enugu State Police Command in connection with a controversial land dispute involving Ostara Farms Limited and the Okpogho Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a petition dated May 29, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC accused the Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services, Enugu State Police Command, and other officers of allegedly interfering in ongoing land litigation, intimidating community members, and using criminal proceedings to influence a dispute that is already before several courts.

According to the organisation, the controversy centres on an agreement through which Ostara Farms Limited allegedly acquired about 2,000 hectares of communal land from individuals said to be acting on behalf of the community for a consideration of N50 million.

RULAAC said a significant number of community members have challenged the transaction, alleging that the agreement was entered into under questionable circumstances and contains terms that unfairly favour the company.

The rights group noted that several lawsuits concerning ownership and control of the disputed land are currently pending before courts in Enugu State, including Suit Nos. A/24/2025, AWH/41/2022, E/299M/2025, A/58/2025, A/59/2025, A/60/2025 and A/61/2025.

Despite the ongoing litigation, RULAAC expressed concern that police authorities have increasingly become involved in the matter through criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The organisation alleged that criminal allegations arising from the burning of a company-owned caterpillar by unidentified persons were being used to target outspoken opponents of the land transaction.

According to the petition, rather than identifying those directly responsible for the incident, the company allegedly supplied names of community leaders and critics of the land deal who were subsequently treated as suspects.

“If true, such actions amount to an abuse of police processes and a dangerous weaponisation of criminal justice mechanisms to suppress dissent, intimidate citizens and gain advantage in a civil dispute,” the organisation stated.

RULAAC further linked the matter to an earlier land dispute involving Obeagu Awkunanaw and Amechi Uwani communities and Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), noting that both companies are reportedly associated with businessman Kingsley Tobechukwu Eze.

The organisation recalled that concerns over police involvement in the PEIWA dispute had earlier been brought to the attention of the IGP and referred to the Police Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters.

It also referenced reports that Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited are facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court, Enugu, relating to the alleged forgery of a survey plan connected with the acquisition of ancestral lands in Enugu.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants were accused in Count I; “That you Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited, sometimes in 2009 or thereabouts, at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: forgery of the Survey Plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” of 1985 and thereby committed an offence contrary 3 (6) and punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

COUNT II

“That you Kingsley Eze, Chamberlin Mbachu and Private Estates International (W.A.) Limited, sometimes in 2009 or thereabouts, at Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did make or utter the Survey Plan titled “Permanent Site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology” of 1985 knowing same to be false or with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act…”

RULAAC also referred to findings reportedly contained in the Enugu State House of Assembly’s Special Committee Report on Land Matters and Disputes adopted in December 2024.

The organisation urged the IGP to direct the Police Monitoring Unit to immediately take over investigations and prosecutions arising from the Ostara Farms dispute, investigate allegations of misconduct against one CSP Justice Attah, the Officer-in-Charge, Directorate of Legal Services in Enugu, and review any criminal proceedings allegedly initiated for purposes of harassment or intimidation.

Meanwhile, in a separate petition dated May 28, 2026, the organisation called on the IGP to intervene in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, over the repeated failure of police authorities to produce defendants for arraignment.

The cases are 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.

According to RULAAC, the charges were filed following investigations by the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu, indicating that investigations had been completed and prosecution was ready to proceed.

The organisation, however, lamented that despite the filing of the charges, the defendants have repeatedly not been produced before the court for arraignment, resulting in prolonged delays.

RULAAC said the cases came up before the Federal High Court on May 20, 2026, where the court reportedly expressed concern over the inability of the prosecution to present the defendants for plea.

The rights group warned that the continued delays could lead to the cases being struck out for lack of diligent prosecution, thereby undermining public confidence in the criminal justice system.

It urged the IGP to direct the FCID Annex, Enugu, and the FID Abuja, through the Directorate of Legal Services, to ensure the production of the defendants on the next adjourned date of June 18, 2026, and facilitate diligent prosecution of the matters.

RULAAC maintained that its intervention was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the justice system and ensuring that police powers are exercised impartially and in accordance with the rule of law.

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Police Declare 6 IPOB Members Wanted Over Protests Against Kanu’s Jail Terms

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

By Okey Maduforo Awka

Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .

The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.

The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them

The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.

According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.

The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.

The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.

The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.

The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.

The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.

The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.

As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.

The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.

The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.

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Power Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Social media activist and commentator, , popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , over comments he allegedly made concerning teachers protesting in solidarity with colleagues and schoolchildren affected by insecurity in Oyo State.

In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news

The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.

VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.