A cross section of the people of Avu in Owerri West LGA of Imo State have expressed dismay over the proposed recognition and confinement of chieftaincy title on one Chikodi Ike proposed by the Avu Women Association, AWU, in its 2015 August meeting, over what they alleged an “attempt to institutionalize criminality in Avu”
According to a release by Ehieta Youth Association, Avu, Owerri West LGA which was endorsed by their president and Secretary, Bright Nwanesi and Nnanna Ekechi respectively, made available to Trumpeta and churches, age grades, social clubs, CGC, Eze in Council, police and SSS, it accused the recipient of having a questionable character by alleging that he had sometime in March 2012 wrongly accused two of their indigenes of some misdemeanors related to kidnapping and car snatching. He was also accused of attempting to raise persons who would bear false witness against the victims, Messrs Ethel Njoku and Nkemakolan Okeh.
The said recipient named Chikaodi was also accused of allegedly attacking one Chibueze Amadi in Owerri where two of the victim’s teeth were removed over unfounded accusations.
Joining forces in condemning the planned chieftaincy honour is one the claimed victims, Kingsley Okechukwu Amadi of Amadi compound Umuehieta, Avu, in an SOS letter written to the state Police Commissioner dated 27 January, 2015, alleged that Mr Chikaodi was not only terrorizing members of his compound but other promising sons of Umuezenwere Avu noting that he used the aide of security agencies to perfect the act.
The three-page report signed by Kingsley Okechukwu Amadi among many other issues alleged that the accused stormed his residence with some men in police uniform numbering about five and destroyed some of his property. He accused Chikaokdi of taking away his wife and cousins for detention.
Chikaodi`s origin and where he hails from was also subject of contention why he should not merit the title from Avu women as people claimed that while he resides in Owerri Municipal, he hails from Nekede and not Avu.
While this newspaper learnt that the women group has vowed to go ahead with the conferment of the title based on his resourceful pedigree, the accused, Chikaodi when contacted dismissed the allegations and branded it cheap blackmail from disgruntled elements he cannot descend too low to join issues with. Chikaodi only stated that the honour is to confirm his good services to the community adding that he is a well behaved man and community leader beyond the imagination of his accusers..
