The Chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs Ifeoma Peace Agwu, has denied allegations by a former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Benjamin Nworie, that he was attacked by suspected thugs acting on her orders.
Agwu described the claim as false, malicious, and defamatory.
Nworie, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, alleged that he was attacked in the early hours of Monday at his residence in Ugwuechara, Abakaliki, describing the incident as brutal and life-threatening.
“I was attacked in the early hours of today by three thugs allegedly linked to the Chairman of Ishielu Local Government, Mrs Peace Agwu, at my residence,” the former NUJ VC said.
He claimed that the attackers stormed his home and turned violent after confronting him over the removal of bamboo materials placed near his entrance gate.
“They forcefully dragged, beat and punched me repeatedly on the face and mouth,” Nworie alleged, adding that the assailants also threatened to kill him and his family before neighbours intervened.
According to him, the incident has left him in fear for his life.
“I want to call on my colleagues and security agencies to note that my life and that of my family are now in danger as a result of these threats,” he said.
Nworie explained that the dispute began after he removed bamboo materials placed near his entrance, which he said posed a safety risk.
“I removed the bamboos because they were placed on the access road to my house and nearly caused me an accident days earlier,” he added, noting that ongoing construction activities in the area had already made access to his residence difficult.
However, in a swift response, the office of the council chairman dismissed the allegations, insisting that Agwu had no involvement in the incident.
In a statement signed by her Special Assistant, Odi Chukwuemeka Jerry, the chairman described the accusation as baseless and damaging.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Mrs Ifeoma Peace Agwu had no involvement whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in the incident described by Comrade Ben Nworie,” the statement read.
The office further rejected any link between the chairman and acts of violence, stating that such claims were reckless and unsupported by evidence.
“It is therefore reckless and legally indefensible for Comrade Ben Nworie to publicly accuse the Chairman of orchestrating violence without presenting any credible evidence,” it added.
The statement also stressed that the chairman neither operates nor sponsors any group of thugs, warning against attempts to associate her with criminal activities.
Consequently, the council chairman demanded an immediate retraction and public apology from Nworie over the allegations.