72-Year-Old Man Seeks Enugu Government’s Protection After Alleged Banishment

A 72-year-old man, Innocent Ugwuja, from Ebo-Umabo autonomous community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has appealed to the state government and the police for protection after he was allegedly banished from his community over accusations that he caused his younger brother’s leg wound.

Ugwuja, a father of six, made the appeal while narrating his ordeal to LEADERSHIP at the residence of one of his daughters in Awka, Anambra State, where he is currently taking refuge.

He alleged that he narrowly escaped being lynched on Friday night, describing his escape as an act of divine intervention.

According to him, a group of people in the community, allegedly backed by the President-General, Akpaa Ebor Kelvin, banished him over claims that he infected his younger brother, Simon Ugwuja, with a virus responsible for a sore on his leg.

The septuagenarian denied the allegation, saying he had offered to swear an oath before any deity chosen by the community to prove his innocence.

He said he had even offered to accept the consequences if the deity found him responsible for his brother’s injury, but his pleas were allegedly ignored.

Ugwuja said he returned to his hometown about four years ago after retirement, having spent his active years in Awka, where he raised his six children.

He appealed to the Enugu State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to intervene urgently to protect his life and those of his family members.

The elderly man also alleged that his children showed him video footage of people performing his funeral rites in the community.

He said an obituary announcement bearing his photograph and the inscription, “Rest in peace, evil uncle,” had also been posted on the Facebook page of a family member, Sunday Ugwuja.

When contacted by LEADERSHIP, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Ugwuanyi Julius Chikodili, and the President-General, Akpaa Ebor Kelvin, declined to comment, saying they were occupied with an ongoing meeting.

Sunday Ugwuja, whose Facebook page allegedly carried the obituary announcement, warned the reporter not to call his phone line again when asked to respond to the allegation.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said the command was not aware of the incident and requested information on the police division with jurisdiction over the community.

Meanwhile, a family source said the matter was reported at the Police Area Command in Imilike on Sunday. The source added that the family was directed to return on Monday to obtain the area commander’s approval before the case could be handled.

As of the time of filing this report, the allegations had not been independently verified, and the community leaders had not provided their account of the incident.