The Concerned Citizens of Okon-Aku Community (CCOC) in the Diaspora, a body of stakeholders of Okon-Aku sons and daughters abroad, led by Mr. Peter Kalu Chima, have expressed deep worry over the composition of the Panel of Enquiry set up to investigate the lingering crisis in Okon-Aku, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a strongly worded statement made available to journalists, the group unequivocally condemned the gruesome murder of Akuna Igwe, as well as the arson attacks on the residences of His Royal Highness, Eze Engr. Ndukwe Iko – Nnaka IV, Ezeogo Bernard Kama, the Custodian of the Okon-aku Tradional Stool and Ancestral Culture, and others, describing the incidents as “barbaric, unacceptable and alien to the values of Okon-Aku people.”
The group stated that while they support a thorough investigation into the crisis, they are concerned that the credibility and neutrality of the Panel of Enquiry may be compromised, unless urgent steps are taken to address what they described as “conflict-of-interest issues.”
Concerns Over Panel Membership
According to the statement, the group raised objections to the inclusion of HRH, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, the Enechoken of Abiriba, on the panel, citing what they described as longstanding personal and political relationships between the Abiriba monarch and individuals allegedly central to the Okon-Aku crisis.
The group specifically alleged that Mrs. Grace Udensi and her family, whom they described as a controversial figure within the community, has historically been associated with disputes and divisions in Okon-Aku from the era of Nnaka II to date, which has become a pattern. The group further claimed that she has benefited from titles and affiliations outside the community, which, in their view, were obtained without proper consultation with the traditional ruler of Okon-Aku, HRH Eze Nnaka IV, because these titles should be sacred, not a cloak to cover up. .
They questioned the propriety of the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Mrs. Udensi by the Abiriba monarch, alleging that due diligence was not followed and that such actions have fueled resentment and mistrust within Okon-Aku.
Alleged Influence and Fear of Bias
The Concerned Citizens also expressed apprehension over what they described as the close relationship between the Abiriba traditional institution and the Udensco family, particularly Chief Johnson Ulu Ekea (Udensco Senior), whom they accused of previously deploying “divide-and-rule tactics” that allegedly escalated tensions in Okon-Aku. They fear he may leverage on this relationship to penetrate and divide the panel amongst themselves, using unsuspecting people.
They warned that this perceived closeness could undermine public confidence in the panel’s work and potentially influence its findings.
“For peace to return to Okon-Aku, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” the statement read. “Any panel whose neutrality is in doubt risks deepening the crisis rather than resolving it.”
Call for Recusal and Fair Hearing
Based on these concerns, the group formally called on HRH Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, the Enechoken of Abiriba, to recuse himself from the Panel of Enquiry, stressing that the request was made “in the interest of fairness, justice and lasting peace.”
They emphasized that their demand was not an attack on the person of the monarch, but a preventive measure to ensure that the investigation remains transparent and unbiased.
Appeal to Media and Bloggers
The group also criticized what they described as the role of “paid journalists and bloggers,” accusing some media actors of misrepresenting the Okon-Aku crisis.
They urged journalists to exercise restraint, professionalism and balance, insisting that the people directly affected by the crisis are best positioned to tell their story.
“We reject media narratives that sanitize or distort the truth. The root causes of the Okon-Aku crisis must be honestly exposed if the cycle of violence is to end,” they stated.
Our Demands
The Concerned Citizens of Okon-Aku in Diaspora outlined the following demands:
- Immediate recusal of the Enechoken of Abiriba from the Panel of Enquiry to eliminate perceived bias.
- A free, fair and transparent investigation that delivers justice to all victims of the crisis.
- An end to paid media advocacy that, according to them, obscures facts and inflames tensions.
- A thorough and impartial examination of all individuals and interests linked to the crisis, regardless of status or influence.
The group reaffirmed their commitment to peace and justice, warning that any process perceived as compromised could further destabilize the community.
They concluded by calling on the Abia State Government to ensure that the Panel of Enquiry commands public trust and produces recommendations capable of ending what they described as “the perennial crisis that has brought pain, loss and shame to Okon-Aku.”
