Ihugbogo Community Accuses Former Council Boss Of Malicious Damage, Assualt, Threat To Lives . . . I Did Not Send Anybody To Destroy Any House – Ikegbidi
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The Ihugbogo Community of Igbu Akoh Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria has accused a former council chairman, High Chief (Hon) Cassidy O. W. Ikegbidi of malicious damage, assualt and threat to lives.
The community paramount ruler, Chief Ojim Goodwill in an interview with Boch News in his palace said, ‘Their ordeal started after Total Elf invited the community to come for its share of Ekpeye New Yam Festival gift items for host communities.
“My council was asked to come for our gifts from Total Elf, I sent the CDC Chairman and some cabinet members. At the venue, some hoodlums attacked them to forcefully take away the gifts. They were sent by those who wanted to become Chief by all means, but are not.
“Cassidy Ikegbidi is their leader. He had been council chairman for two tenures and some months as a care taker. He never picked a form to contest any kingship election but is claiming to be the Eze Akoh.
“Cassidy has been denied by Ekpeye traditional Institutions, because he crowned himself at night. He has returned home to destroy the community, he trained some bad boys, causing trouble in the community.
Ojim further said, “They returned home, attacked my cabinet members sent by the community. Some were wounded, blinded. They later paraded round the community, threatening to burn down the community. They were led by a boy who claimed to be a community paramount ruler too. Cassidy brought him to challenge me.
“The hoodlums succeeded in forcefully carting away some of the gift items. They destroyed some of our houses, broke windows. They were all armed with guns.
The community paramount ruler revealed that the community later went to the police station to report the matter.
Ojim added that he mentioned Cassidy to be the mastermind because, “Cassidy has vowed that anything done by those supporting Eze Okpagi Godpower will not see the light of the day. That he will make sure it is destroyed.”
Corroborating the story, the CDC Chairman, Comrade Abali Chigozie said the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 23 at Tropicana Hotel.
He explained that the first attack was foiled by security agents at the venue where the gift items were shared, while the second attack was stopped by Odiemerenyi people.
He blamed the spate of attacks on the selfish ambition of one man, adding that the commander of the garrison is John Dee Ikegbidi.
Mr Chinem Hector Ekeakita, chairman of Ihugbogo Oil and Gas Committee also confirmed the incident.
Ekeakita informed Boch News that he was also a victim of the malicious damage unleashed on the community.
When Boch News contacted Ikegbidi for his reaction, he said; “It is not true that I sent boys to beat anybody or destroy any property. A traditional ruler of my level can not do that.
“I have one of the best houses in my village, so why should I think of destroying that of another. It is a big lie.
“That man is not the community chief. He is an imposter, claiming what he is not.”
Investigation by Boch News revealed that the kingship of Igbu Akoh Kingdom has been in dispute after the demise of the pioneer King, Eze Ololube.
Ikegbidi was said to have allegedly been crowned by a section of the people, likewise Eze Okpagi, which had led to judicial tussle.
Recently, our Investigation further revealed that Ikegbidi was said to have won a case at Omoku High Court concerning the Igbu Akoh Kingdom kingship throne.
