The traditional ruler of Eze Ukwu Autonomous Community in Bende council area of Abia state, Eze Hyson Ogwo Chukwu risks a jail term over his failure to obey a court order mandating him to repay the sum of Six Million Naira (N6, 000,000) he collected from one Mr. Stacy Omengwa Agu.
247ureports.com gathered that the monarch had sometime in February 2008 offered his building located at 58 Aja road , Aba for sale to Agu at the cost of N6,000,000 which the latter was said to have paid through installments with the last part coming on July 2008.
According to sources, after the monarch collected the agreed sum of N6, 000,000, he allegedly declined to release the power of attorney of the building and resorted to playing hide and seek with Agu.
Disgusted with the situation, Agu was said to have made efforts including sending emissaries to appeal to Eze Chukwu to hand over the building or refund the money but later went to court when the monarch kept adamant.
Delivering Judgment on the matter in Suit No. A/182/2013 on 21st October, 2013, Justice O.A Chijioke of High Court 7, Aba, awarded a N20, 000 cost against the monarch and ordered him to refund the N6, 000,000 he collected from Agu.
“That the Defendant is liable to pay to the Claimant the sum of N6, 000,000 (Six Million Naira only), as money had and received by the Defendant from the Claimant as consideration failed. That the claim for general damages is struck out. That the court awards costs assessed at N20, 000 against the Defendant in favour of this claimant.”
A close associate of Agu hinted that since the judgment was delivered, the monarch has failed to obey the order to refund the N6, 000,000 as Agu has been running from pillar to post to ensure justice is done, all to no avail as the monarch has been unyielding.
As a result of the development, 247ureports.com gathered that on 12th November, 2013, bailiffs from the Aba High Court accompanied by some policemen and attached the building at No. 58 Aja road and a car found in the premises.
Lamenting the situation, Agu accused the monarch of trying to defraud him by failing to release the building which he paid for or comply with the order of the court to refund the N6, 000,000.
Contacted on phone, Eze Chukwu said he offered his building for sale but changed his mind when Agu failed to offset the agreed price on time. He also claimed to have been calling on Agu to come and collect his money but has not heard from him.
