The Obi of Igbodo Kingdom, HRM Obi Osedume has been accused by a community Chief, Dr Obiajulu Sunday Uzuh of extorting the sum of N530, 000 from his family.
In an Open message signed by the Chief Uzuh, he alleged that the Obi of Igbodo Kingdom, “on the fateful evening of 14/12/23 extorted the sum of 530,000.00 (Five Hundred and thirty thousand Naira) from some members of Uzuh Family by way of payment of “Fine” to settle a malicious and controversial pronouncement.”
Uzuh said he wrote private messages via whatsapp and text messages to the monarch to notify him of the transaction which he said was not authorized by him.
He further stated that he had asked the king to refund the money, describing the monarch’s refusal as disturbing and unacceptable.
“I, Chief (Dr) Obiajulu Sunday Sunny Uzuh, Isichitumugo I of Igbodo Kingdom, Ugochitumem I of Obior Kingdom; Worldwide Patron, Ndobu Progressive Union, North America and Igbodo Development Union, North America, hereby wish the entire people of Igbodo Kingdom, and the general public to know the following:
“That the moment it was brought to my attention that you, the Obi of Igbodo, HRM Obi I.N. Osedume on the fateful evening of 14/12/23 extorted the sum of 530,000.00 (Five Hundred and thirty thousand Naira) from some members of Uzuh Family by way of payment of “Fine” to settle a malicious and controversial pronouncement from you, I personally wrote to you via a WhatsApp text Message (which evidence shows you received and read the text) to categorically inform you that I was not aware nor did I authorize any such payment on my behalf.
“That I emphatically stated that extorting such an amount of money from targeted community members is not only disturbing but unacceptable.
“That I further politely and privately asked that you return the money to them within a given period. However, it has equally been brought to my attention that you have personally informed the same targeted weak and vulnerable people that “money that reached your hand cannot be returned”. This is victimization and marginalization of targeted members of the community.
Chief Uzuh said the private refusal of the king to refund the said amount is the reason behind the public outcry stressing that the people of Igbodo kingdom deserve to live free and be treated fairly.
“The people of Igbodo Kingdom deserve to live in peace and be treated fairly, just as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Igbodo community Constitution. It is on this basis that I am publicly and loudly requesting you the Obi of Igbodo to return the said money to the targeted members of Uzuh Family on or before the end of Business Day on January 5th. 2024.” The statement read.
Efforts to reach the monarch for his reaction and side to the story proved abortive.
A call, text message and WhatsApp message sent to his phone via 08037*****17 were neither responded to nor answered.
You should have hear the side of the monarch before publishing in order to balance your reportage. This is bad journalism and campaign of calumny against the Obi. It’s a sponsored lie.