The Chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Ifeoma Peace Agwu, has strongly denied allegations leveled against her by a former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ben Nworie, describing the claims as false, malicious, and defamatory.
In a statement issued by her Special Assistant, Odi Chukwuemeka Jerry, the council boss dismissed reports alleging that she sponsored or was connected to an attack on the journalist, insisting she had no involvement whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Mrs. Ifeoma Peace Agwu had no involvement whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the incident described by Comrade Ben Nworie,” the statement said.
The statement further noted that the chairman does not operate or sponsor any group of thugs, warning that any attempt to link her to acts of violence is unacceptable and legally actionable.
“We wish to make it clear that the Chairman does not operate or sponsor any group of thugs,” it added.
The council boss demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from Nworie, warning that failure to do so would compel her to seek legal redress.
“The Office hereby demands an immediate retraction of the allegations and a public apology… Failure to do so… will leave the Chairman with no option but to explore all available legal remedies,” the statement warned.
Meanwhile, Comrade Ben Nworie, who is also a correspondent with THISDAY Newspaper, alleged that he was attacked in the early hours of the day at his residence in Ugwuechara, Abakaliki.
“I was at early hours of today attacked by three thugs of the chairman of Ishielu Local Government, Mrs Peace Agwu at my residence in Ugwuechara, Abakaliki Ebonyi State,” he alleged.
Nworie claimed that the attackers stormed his residence and assaulted him after a confrontation over the removal of bamboo materials placed near his entrance gate.
“They forcefully dragged, beat and punched me severally on the face and mouth,” he said, adding that the attackers also threatened to kill him and his family before neighbours intervened.
He expressed concern over his safety, stating that his life and that of his family are now in danger.
“I want to call on my colleagues and security agencies to be aware that my life and that my family are now in danger as a result of the attacks and threats by the chairman’s thugs,” he said.
Nworie also explained that the dispute stemmed from construction materials obstructing access to his residence, which he said had caused him inconvenience and near accidents in the past.
The incident has raised concerns, with calls for an independent investigation by security agencies to establish the true circumstances surrounding the allegation.