Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Former Chairman of Edda Local Government Area in Ebonyi State, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, has denied media reports alleging that Governor Francis Nwifuru imposed an ₦80 million fine on him in connection with the recent crisis in the Ekoli-Edda community.
Ekoli-Edda has experienced renewed violence in recent weeks, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property. In response, Governor Nwifuru intervened two weeks ago to restore peace.
Some media reports subsequently claimed that the governor had fined Dr. Eni and his brother, Barr. Chima Uduma Chima, a reduced amount of ₦80 million from an initial ₦106 million allegedly imposed by a faction of the town union known as the “Ekoli Band of Hope Union.”
However, in a statement, Dr. Eni has described the reports as “false, malicious, and defamatory,” insisting that no fine was imposed or discussed during the peace meeting convened by Governor Nwifuru on July 11, 2025.
“I am aware of a false report and malicious misinformation circulated by some print media. This fictitious tale was fabricated by mischief-makers and handed to journalists who failed to verify the facts,” he said.
Dr. Eni criticized the media outlet for what he termed professional negligence and failure to uphold the ethics of balanced reporting.
“At the stakeholders’ meeting with our peace-loving Governor, we thoroughly reviewed the security situation in Ekoli-Edda and reached far-reaching resolutions. However, none of those resolutions included any fine—because no valid fine by any competent authority was imposed on me or my brother,” he clarified.
He also refuted claims that only five out of seven proposals he presented were accepted at the meeting, maintaining that all issues were discussed and mutual concessions reached.
On the specifics, he said the following resolutions were made during the meeting: “That a Mack truck allegedly taken from him by a group known as the “Catcham Boys” be returned immediately.
“That the purported fine and banishment imposed on him and his brother be nullified.
“That the traditional ruler of Ekoli-Edda be warned against political partisanship or risk abdicating his throne.
“That the local police station be reactivated and fully staffed.
“That the “Catcham Boys” be disarmed and a general ban imposed on civilian possession of firearms in the area.”
Responding to calls for the dissolution of the Town Union executive, Dr. Eni said such a move had become unnecessary in light of the resolutions, which, according to him, had effectively curtailed the group’s influence.
“If we obtained an order disarming the miscreants, what further need is there to dissolve the Town Union? Their wings have already been clipped,” he said.
He also criticized the journalist who authored the controversial report, accusing him of failing to seek a balanced account and relying on misinformation.
“In circumstances like this, Chimamanda Adichie’s warning about the danger of a single story comes to mind. A one-sided report is often incomplete or misleading,” he noted.
Describing the article as a betrayal of journalistic ethics and a disservice to a media outlet known for the motto “Conscience Nurtured by Truth,” Dr. Eni concluded:
“There is absolutely no truth in that report. It was an unfortunate episode of poor journalism, driven either by malice or ignorance.”
