Governor Mbah
The Obeagu Ugwuaji community in Enugu South Local Government Area has petitioned Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in what they describe as an escalating crisis allegedly instigated by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo.
Community leaders claim the commissioner acted in defiance of a court order by appointing a caretaker committee for the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union, despite a subsisting leadership and ongoing legal proceedings.
As a result, the community has initiated contempt proceedings, seeking to commit the commissioner to prison for allegedly disobeying a court injunction.
In Suit No: E/508/2025, titled Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order (Form 48), the community has moved to penalize Ogbodo for contempt of court.
This follows an interim injunction issued on June 2, 2025, by Justice C.A. Ogbuabo of the Enugu State High Court, which explicitly barred the commissioner and others from appointing any caretaker committee pending the determination of a substantive judicial review filed by community leaders.
According to the court order, “2nd respondent, 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.”
Despite this ruling, the commissioner allegedly proceeded to install a caretaker committee, prompting fresh tension in the community and legal steps by the current leadership to challenge the move.
The president-general of the union, Mr. Obi Chukwunomso Freedom, accused the commissioner of not only ignoring the court order but also attempting to cover up the violation by backdating the appointment letters of the caretaker members.
Investigations suggest that the current leadership’s tenure remains valid, raising questions about the necessity and legality of the caretaker committee.
The community believes this act is a deliberate provocation capable of leading to unrest if not urgently addressed.
In response, Commissioner Okey Ogbodo defended his action, claiming that the appointments had already been finalized before the court injunction was served.
The Obeagu Ugwuaji community, however, insists that the commissioner’s actions amount to a clear violation of the rule of law and are calling on Governor Peter Mbah to take immediate steps to prevent a potential breakdown of peace and order in the area.
