Members of the Ogbe Ubu community have raised serious allegations against Chief Hyacinth Okolie, the Ihonor of Ogwashi-Uku, accusing him of working to destabilize the Kingdom and cede portions of its territory to imposters and outsiders. These accusations followed a meeting held on August 26, 2024, where concerns were voiced about Chief Okolie’s alleged involvement in undermining the unity of Ogwashi-Uku.
The community’s meeting was in response to the actions of Mr. Alexander Ifechukwude, who has been unlawfully presenting himself as the traditional ruler of Olu Odu Ogwashi-Uku. The Olu Odu farmlands, which fall within the Ogbe Ubu community, have been a focal point of tension. Community members condemned Chief Okolie for his association with Mr. Ifechukwude, alleging that he is leading a clandestine effort to separate Olu Odu from the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom and grant it illegitimate recognition.
It should be recalled that Mr. Alexander Ifechukwude was previously warned and prosecuted by the police for impersonation, following petitions filed with the Delta State Police and Ministry of Justice. Additionally, Chief Hyacinth Okolie was facing charges of gun-running and alleged involvement in a robbery that resulted in the death of a police officer. However, these charges were dropped by the Ministry of Justice after a nolle prosequi was entered by the state government. In a letter to the governor, community members have claimed that the nolle prosequi obtained by Chief Okolie was acquired through fraudulent means and have requested a review by the Ministry of Justice. Our reporters also confirmed that the same case is being reviewed by the officials at the Federal Government based on the requests by the deceased family who was a serving police officer.
Speaking after the meeting, the acting Okwabani of Olu Odu, Chief Eloke Adigwe expressed deep disappointment, stating, “It is a terrible shame, an embarrassment to our ancestors, that a senior member of our community would actively work with outsiders to fragment our great kingdom. We have a saying that translates to ‘It is the rat inside the house that shows the outside rats where the food is.’ This is precisely the situation we find ourselves in, where our own people are collaborating with outsiders regarding Olu Odu and Otulu Ogwashi-Uku. It is crucial that everyone in Ogwashi-Uku is aware of what is happening. They are giving away our communal land to outsiders for their gain. These individuals are traitors, and we will continue to expose their malicious activities.”
Efforts to reach Chief Hyacinth Okolie for comments were unsuccessful.
