The people of Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State have accused the lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, of aiding and fuelling insecurity in the community.
The Traditional Ruler of Oraifite, Dr. Daniel Udorji, and the President-General, Sir Vin Dike, made these claims during a joint press conference at the Oraifite Civic Centre on Monday.
The accusations come in the wake of a disturbing incident involving the kidnapping and alleged killing of a 38-year-old youth leader in the community.
During the press conference, journalists were also informed about an ongoing conflict between Ejiofor and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Chief Sir Emeka Ofor, both of whom are members of the Oraifite community.
The community leaders accused Ejiofor of utilizing a masquerade organization named ‘Otueke’ to carry out kidnappings, harassment, and intimidation against community members, including Chief Sir Emeka Ofor.
Consequently, the community took a decisive step by placing an immediate ban on the ‘Otueke’ festival, citing insecurity as the primary reason.
President-General, Chief Vincent Dike, stated,”this press conference is called to let the world know the activities of Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor towards his ancestral people and the man who made him who he is today in the society.
“Ejiofor is one of the major beneficiaries of Sir Emeka Ofor’s humanitarian gesture in Oraifite town. He was trained by Sir Emeka Ofor from Secondary to University education. But today, his benefactor has become his greatest enemy in this world. He has also extended his hatred to the entire community that trained and protect him.
“He uses ‘Otueke’ an organisation filled with all manners of youths, mostly from his Umunakwa kindred to unleash terror on us. About 95 percentage of kidnapping, killings and other criminal activities in our community today, is been sponsored by Ejiofor with support from his Umunakwa kindred. Because of this, he has not been holding meeting with us for the past 15 years.
“Otueke is an organisation that was set up by our forefathers to unite the people, to discuss important and vital issues of the town. It has multiple arms, there is an arm that is used for enforcement called ‘Otuebe’.
“Otuebe is an arm that was used by our forefathers to enforce order and obedience or collections within the community, the reason why we are placing a ban on it is because some disgruntled elements are now using it to fuel insecurity and all other atrocious activities coming with this ‘Otueke’ because it’s almost like a masquerade.
“Some naive son’s of the community have also hijacked ‘Otueke’ and it has become their personal property. They even registered it in a Corporate Affairs Commission and are using it for reasons that it was originally not meant for.”
Both the Traditional Ruler Igwe Daniel Udoji and the President-General called on the state government, the police, and other security agencies to intervene in the matter. The Traditional Ruler, Igwe Daniel Udoji, urged the people of the community to unite and defend their interests.
The PG, however, called on the state government, the Police and other security agencies to intervene on the matter.
The traditional ruler, Igwe Daniel Udoji, on his part, appealed to the people of the community to rise up and defend the community.
Stating, “It’s too bad, let us unite and appreciate Emeka Offor, he has done so much for us, not only appreciate him, defend him when he is under attack, there are many bad people who don’t appreciate good things.
“It’s regrettable that we don’t come out to defend him on social media, when he’s under attack; it shouldn’t be only when we need him that we should go to him.
“We should come out and defend him, humanly speaking, we can’t reward Mr Emeka Offor for all he has done for us”, he noted.
Responding to the allegations, Ejiofor asserted that he has never supported or sponsored criminal activities throughout his lifetime. He dismissed the accusations as unfounded and mischievous, emphasizing his commitment to the rule of law.
According to him, “when I was called and told about the youngman abduction,I petitioned the Inspector General of Police and subsequently he was released by Court.
“I am not against the arrest of any person that committed crime but his whereabout must be communicated to his family. The reason for his arrest must be made known.Why must they keep his abduction secret? ” he said.
He further alleged that all that is happening in Oraifite are caused by Emeka Offor who use the traditional institution and PG to cover up.