Tension in Anambra Community Over Demolition of Obi’s Property by Kinsmen

By Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka

Tension is rising in Okpuloji-Akwa village, Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area following the alleged demolition of property belonging to an Onitsha-based businessman and prominent indigene of the community, Benedict Obi, by his kinsmen.

Obi, narrating his ordeal to journalists, said that the building project he began in 2020 has repeatedly been demolished by some of his relatives, who, according to him, are determined to prevent him from developing the land he inherited from his late father.

He explained that the land—situated in front of his ancestral home in the Iruokolocha kindred—was acquired by his father and had never been in dispute until construction commenced. He alleged that the dispute began after some relatives claimed that their father’s grave was located on the land.

He said, “I intended to build on my father’s land in front of our house, which he acquired during his lifetime. The land was not in dispute. I lived in my father’s house before deciding to build my own house in 2020. We live in a general compound where my grandfather had multiple wives, each with her own hut. My father was the first son, so we inherited the Obi.

“My mother always dreamed that her son would build a house. After her passing, I decided to fulfil that dream. Unfortunately, two of my father’s brothers were buried on the land without our notice, as my father lived in Onitsha at the time. It was later resolved, and my father explained that there is a traditional way to relocate graves whenever the land is needed.”

Obi said that both of his parents are now deceased. In 2021, he invited Fr. Ebube Muonso to bless the land before construction began, and all relatives present raised no objection.

“When I put up my fence, the first son of the deceased man reported me to the kinsmen, claiming I was building on their father’s land. The kinsmen halted construction and investigated. They ruled that since I had informed everyone of my intention and agreed to fund the relocation of the grave—which I did—the land remained mine. Their decision was recorded in the minute book,” he said.

According to Obi, despite relocating the grave and receiving community approval, his relatives have continued to harass him and destroy his fence. He stated that although he reported the matter to security agencies, the attacks persisted.

“This structure is not new; it has stood for five years. They all knew when it was built. Suddenly, they began attacking my fence with the intention of demolishing it. When I asked who was responsible, I was told it was my relatives. My lawyer advised me to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). I submitted my statement on November 7, but because of the election, the matter did not receive immediate attention.

“On November 11, they continued the demolition. I reported to the CID again, and I was invited to write another statement. On November 12, the police came to arrest them; one escaped, while two others were apprehended. They boasted that they wouldn’t remain in detention for more than 10 minutes, claiming their ‘oga at the top’ controls the police. Shockingly, they were released within two hours and returned the next night to demolish my property again at about 11 pm.”

Obi added that although the suspects were repeatedly invited by the police, they refused to honour the invitations, instead threatening him to comply with their demands or “face the consequences.”

He alleged that an influential man in the community is orchestrating his persecution, using his cousins and other relatives as tools because he (Obi) has resisted what he described as the incessant intimidation and unlawful arrest of youths in the village.

He stressed that the land was never a subject of contention within the extended family but that some relatives had been incited to sabotage his building project.

“Our Ifitedunu community has long been engulfed in crisis. It is our village’s turn to produce a leader, but they are trying to deny us that right. Our youths are being arrested and detained by this influential man for the slightest utterance. I am not contesting any position, but because I challenged the injustice, they marked me for destruction.

“It is a clear gang-up, and it is painful that my own brothers—Nkeadi Obi, Chibuike Obi, and Chidiebere Obi—are being used against me. I live in constant fear, especially since they are often armed with guns and other deadly weapons and appear to be above the law.

“They have demolished my property several times—on November 3, 6, 11, and 13—without consequences. I fear my life may be next. Ifitedunu is in bondage. Those instigating this crisis claim to be from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and boast that they can get away with anything.”

Obi appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene and ensure justice, warning that the level of violence and lawlessness in the community is spiraling out of control.

“I want Governor Soludo to come to my aid and to the aid of Ifitedunu. The level of rascality in this town is out of hand. Nobody has a monopoly of violence, and nobody has the right to take the law into their hands,” he said.

He also called on human rights organizations and well-meaning individuals to intervene, stating that he is being targeted and persecuted by his own kinsmen. He vowed to continue pursuing justice and not to be intimidated.

Giving his account, Christopher Ifeanacho, former village chairman, confirmed that the renewed dispute appears to be fueled by external influence aimed at destabilizing the family.

“The matter was settled, and they shouldn’t be allowed to continue demolishing his property. We ruled that the graveyard should be relocated, and they all agreed. Benedict even funded the relocation. Now they are going back on their word and defying our ruling. This has been ongoing since 2021,” he said.

“It is clear they are being instigated. Our town is plagued with problems, and Benedict Okonkwo is the only one bold enough to speak against the irregularities. That is why they are targeting him.”

Also speaking, 78-year-old Cyril Nwankwo and Theresa Nwafor Akpaka, both of Okpuloji-Akwa village, urged the feuding relatives to embrace peace, respect the community’s decision, and allow Benedict Okonkwo to enjoy his property without further harassment.