Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Obeagu Ugwuaji Community in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, has called for the urgent intervention of the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, by calling to order, the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, to avoid possible break down of law and order in the area.
This was contained in a statement signed by the President General of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union, Mr Obi Chukwunomso Freedom.
In addition, the community has also taken steps to commit the commissioner to prison over contempt related matters, consequent upon their completion of Form 48 in a suite number E/508M/2025 with the title: “NOTICE OF CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE TO ORDER OF COURT.”
Justice C.A Ogbuabo of the Enugu State high court had on 2nd June, 2025, issued an injunction prohibiting the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and its Commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, among others, from constituting a caretaker committee of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union pending the determination of the substantive application for Judicial Review which was ignored by the Commissioner.
The PG (Freedom) and others had filled an application for a judicial review in a suit NO: E/508/2025 and was granted.
The order reads that “2nd respondent ie Deacon Okey Ogbodo is hereby prohibited from constituting a caretaker committee of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union pending the determination of the substantive application for Judicial Review.”
Investigation shows that in a flagrant disobedience to the order of the court, the Commissioner purportedly moved ahead to constitute a caretaker to pilot the affairs of the community thereby necessitating the contempt proceedings.
The president general alleged that the commissioner upon receiving the order backdated the appointment letters of the purported caretaker to give it legitimacy.
The counsel to Obeagu Ugwuaji community, Bar Emeka Abah, expressed dismay over the action of the commissioner and wondered his interest in who becomes the chairman of the community.
Barr. Abah pointed out that all legal and judicial processes would be explored and assured his clients that his chambers has commenced processes of filling form 49.
“If all things being equal, the commissioner would be committed to prison as law is not a respecter of anyone,” Abah said.
In his reaction on the court order, Ogbodo simply said that the action had taken place before the receipt of the injunction.
