By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra Stat Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodi Anarah has replied and debunked the allegations by former President-General of Isuaniocha Community in Awka North Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Tony Onyeagolu, who accused him of causing crisis in the community.
The Commissioner, who responded through a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Miss Ukpa Ewa, described Mr. Onyeagolu’s allegations as a case of crime fighting back.
According to the statement, Mr. Onyeagolu was removed from office as PG for serious criminal activities and is currently facing murder charges in the Court; hence, he resorted to cooking various kinds of allegation to tarnish the image of the Commissioner who had served as Special Adviser on Security Matters in Governor Willie Obiano’s administration for eight years and had received commendations to that effect.
The statement reads: “The Commissioner wondered what joy or benefit he would derive from causing crises in any community in Anambra State where he had just completed an eight year tenure as a Special Adviser on Security Matters with the task of creating peace and fighting crime and criminalities. ‘What should single Isuaniocha out for a different treatment out of the 181 communities in Anambra State?’ he asked. He continued, ‘Is Tony Onyeagolu the only person in Isuaniocha that knows about the issues he has been alleging?’”
Continuing, the statement reads, “Chief Chikodi Anarah is not a native of Isuaniocha and has no power to appoint or direct affairs within that locality. He is from Amanuke, and, according to him, he has no vested interest or investment in Isuaniocha.
“The allegation made by the past PG of Isuaniocha against the Commissioner is a case of crime fighting back. The former PG had written and sponsored petitions in the past, just to malign and tarnish the image of the Commissioner who had served as Special Adviser on Security Matters in Governor Willie Obiano’s administration for eight years and had received commendations to that effect.
“It was in that office that he encountered Mr. Tony Onyeagolum while unleashing violent crimes against his community. The Commissioner’s insistence that Tony Onyeagolu’s activities must be brought to book is the immediate and remote cause of the incessant spurious and unfounded allegations and publications orchestrated against him.
“The violent crimes include, but are not limited to the shooting of one Chidiebere Okoye whom they left in a pool of his own blood believing him to have died. But he eventually survived. Chidiebere who had only two weeks to go and join his footballing club in Spain before the shooting incident now lives in a wheelchair. He saw Tony Onyeagolu with his own eyes, and he is the principal witness in the attempted murder charge against Tony, currently ongoing in the Court. The more serious one is the celebrated abduction and gruesome murder of one Angus Okoye, also masterminded and executed by Tony Onyeagolu and his boys. The murder charge is also pending against Tony Onyeagolu in Court.”
“The past President General (PG), whom the Commissioner also said is a drug addict, is however advised to take his medley of grievances to other climes, and possibly go for litigations if he has any case against Chief Anarah.
“By Governor Soludo’s vision of making Anambra State a Liveable Smart Mega City, Chief Chikodi Anarah’s antecedents of hardwork, integrity, and ethical behaviors are known to all, as well as the varied skills garnered over the years in his service to the State and commitment to making the State safe for all,” the statement added.
Recall that the erstwhile President-General of Isuaniocha, Mr. Onyeagolu had, while addressing newsmen in Awka recently, criticised Governor Soludo for appointing Chief Anarah as Commissioner, and one Chief Cosmos Okonkwo as Security Adviser in his cabinet, alleging that the duo are people of questionable characters and some of the key players responsible for inciting crisis and other forms of atrocities in Isuaniocha Community.
He said: “We have somebody in Awka North called Chikodi Anara who is the new Commissioner for Homeland Affairs and former Adviser to Willie Obiano on Security. He is the one that is behind the entire issues in my community, Isuaniocha. We are worried why Governor Soludo would appoint persons declared wanted by police and close allies with Anarah, to deepen the problem we have.
“Governor Soludo recently set up a committee for people to report injustice, corruption and insecurity matters in all the communities in the state, including Isuaniocha; and was a well commended step. But why would such persons with questionable backgrounds be appointed? There are lot of credible persons in our community and entire local government area.
“I think Chikodi Anarah made those recommendations, in order to sabotage the ongoing investigations into the atrocities committed in our community. So I am pleading with the amiable Governor to look into the matter . Cosmos Okonkwo, Edward Okoye, Chinedu Nwoye and the rest of them are among; giving them access to gun is to empower them to continue their nefarious activities that made police to declare them wanted.”
On how the said crisis started, Mr. Onyeagolu said: “Isuaniocha case started in 2018 when some few elements, including the ones now appointed as Advisers, started selling Community Secondary School Isuaniocha’s lands under my watch as the President-General. I opposed to it; and that led to my removal. They connived with the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Greg Obi, to remove me, without even hearing my own side of the story.”
“Isuaniocha people elected me as their President-General in May, 2017; I was removed on 7th of December, 2018, by the same set of people. Even after my removal, another PG came on board; they also sacked him, molested him and destroyed his property. This is the same set of people who don’t want peace in my community doing all these,” he said.
