A red cap chief in Ogbunike, Anambra State, Chukwuma Osadebe alias Akagboluogu, has come under fire for allegedly seeking to undermine efforts to raise funds to build a befitting Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike Hall and Palace Ground. Osadebe had insinuated that the N500 million fund launch for the project was designed to extort money from Ogbunike people and their well wishers, but this has angered a wide spectrum of people in the community.

Responding to the claims on behalf of concerned citizens of Ogbunike, Barr. M. l Okeke JP, said in a statement issued on Thursday, a copy of which was made available to News Express:

“Few days ago, the people of Ogbunike woke up to a disturbing story, an utterly sacrilegious letter dated 20th January 2022, published by one Chief Chukwuma Osadebe a.k.a Akagboluogu wherein he publicly conveyed his resentment, fear and hatred for development and any developmental initiative in Ogbunike community. It is unimaginable how a man who parades himself as a traditional title holder will go to such unimaginable length to tarnish the sterling reputation of our outstanding sons of impeccable pedigree over their desire to drive in progress in our community.

“Apologies to the initiators, organizers and participants in the just concluded fundraising event for the building of a world class Ndichie/Ogbuefi Hall & Palace for Igwe Ogbunike. The land will surely bless and reward your good deeds.

“Let’s at this point remind Chief Chukwuma Osadebe that our tradition forbids a man from discouraging or casting aspersion on efforts targeted at improving the standard of the community. The launching for the building of the Ndichie/Ogbuefi Hall & Palace of Igwe Ogbunike was organized on December 28, 2021, barely few weeks after the event, one would have expected a man with genuine concerns to at least stay actions pending when there suspicion of misappropriation or diversion of funds before crying foul. But instead, Chief Chukwuma Osadebe allowed his hatred for the development of Ogbunike community take better part of him. The efforts and time you invested in your campaign of calumny against the organizers and participants of the fundraising event puts up some very disturbing questions in one’s mind: could it be that you, Chief Chukwuma Osadebe, benefits from the under-development of Ogbunike community? Or your anger is as a result of the fact that Ogbunike is on a fast track to development far more than Ezi Ogidi your town? Otherwise, no true son of the Ogbunike land will openly express hatred for the development of his community like you did in your abominable letter of 20th January 2022.”

Further lashing Osadebe, the statement said: “Your open expression of resentment at such an all-important project in Ogbunike community further exposes your ulterior motive for defiantly clinging on to Ogbunike stool and parading yourself as the ‘Acting Igwe’ against the warnings of the Traditional Rulers Council in Oyi LGA and the Government of Anambra State through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Matters.

“Ogbunike people are aware of your evil agenda and we are watching closely.”

Vowing not to allow Osadebe “to scuttle the development of our community through unfounded slanderous attacks on our illustrious sons,” the concerned citizens said: “

Traditional title holders in Ogbunike community, as we know, do not act or work against the progress of the community or conduct themselves in an unruly manner depicted by your infamous letter. Ogbunike and Umunya have enjoyed an age-long cordial relationship, founded on mutual respect, support and love. Your clandestine machinations to cause disaffection between the two communities by making unsubstantiated, bogus and unfounded allegations of fraud against the revered Umunya traditional stool is unbecoming of a person who purport to hold a traditional title in Ogbunike community.

“While we apologize once more to the people of Umunya community, we wish to clearly state that author of the defamatory letter, Chief Chukwuma Osadebe, is not speaking for and on behalf of Ogbunike people. He does not have the mandate, both traditionally and otherwise, to speak for us.”

The statement warned Osadebe “to desist from publishing further unprovoked defamatory content against our sons,” adding: “Furthermore, Chief Chukwuma Osadebe should tender an unreserved apology to all the victims of his libelous publication.”

•PHOTO: A cross section of Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike and Igwe Umunya Royal Cabinet at the launching of the N500M Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike Ultra-modern Hall Complex and Palace Ground projects