S’Africa-Based Businessman, 11 Others to Face Trial Over Alleged Assault of Ex-Ifitedunu PG

By PPraise Chinecherem

A South Africa-based businessman, Chief Vincent Udobi, popularly known as Ike Dunukofia or Onwa Ifitedunu, alongside 11 others, is set to be arraigned before an Awka High Court on June 19, 2026, over the alleged brutal assault of a former President-General of Ifitedunu Community, Chief Uchenna Nwoye.

The 12 defendants are facing multiple charges, including assault, attempted murder, stealing and conspiracy to kill, arising from an incident in 2023 in which Nwoye was allegedly attacked and seriously injured while serving as the President-General of the community.

According to a petition submitted by Nwoye, the former community leader alleged that he sustained spinal cord injuries during the attack, which he claimed was carried out by suspected thugs acting on behalf of Udobi.

The petition, addressed to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, was investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), leading to the filing of charges against Udobi and the other defendants.

At the last court sitting on May 22, Udobi and one of the co-defendants, Arinze Azodo, were absent from court, citing ill health. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until June 19 for arraignment.

Nwoye recounted that the incident occurred in 2023 when he and members of his executive council visited a project site at Nkwo Market, Ifitedunu, for an oversight inspection.

He alleged that thugs accompanying Udobi, whom he described as an opponent of his administration, attacked him and members of his executive team.

Speaking with journalists, Nwoye claimed that video evidence exists showing Udobi actively participating in the assault in the presence of operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

He further stated that the injuries sustained during the attack resulted in spinal cord complications for which he is still receiving treatment in Europe.

“Since then, I have been in court with him (Udobi), and he has continued to evade trial. His counsel had earlier filed preliminary objections, but the court dismissed them on March 6, 2026,” Nwoye said.

He disclosed that efforts by prominent individuals to resolve the dispute amicably had failed.

According to him, the crisis stemmed from opposition to his emergence as President-General of the community.

“He did not want me to become the PG of Ifitedunu. He supported another candidate, Francis Chukwudebe. When I eventually emerged, he vowed to frustrate my administration and make the community ungovernable for me,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, Nwoye has raised concerns over what he described as attempts to intimidate and silence him into withdrawing the case.

He alleged that he was recently arrested alongside two witnesses in the matter following a petition accusing them of kidnapping and armed robbery.

“On March 6 this year, I was arrested by operatives of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Abuja, shortly after leaving court, based on a petition filed by two individuals, Kenneth Aforka and Aye Okoye, who accused me and two of my witnesses, Charles Uzoewulu and Ekene Amasiana, of kidnapping and armed robbery,” he said.

Nwoye maintained that the allegations were fabricated and intended to intimidate him and his witnesses because of their involvement in the case against Udobi and the other defendants.

“The individuals who petitioned against us are unknown to us. They are not from our community, and we have never met or had any dealings with them. We suspect the names may even be fictitious and part of a deliberate plot to frustrate us,” he alleged.

Although the claims could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report, Nwoye insisted that Udobi and his associates were behind the alleged intimidation, claiming they visited the police facility where he was detained.

He called on relevant authorities to ensure justice is served, saying he suffered humiliation and serious injuries while carrying out his duties as President-General, a position he described as a selfless service aimed at advancing the development of Ifitedunu community.