By Gabriel Chy Alonta
A former president-general of Isuaniocha, in Awka North local government area of Anambra state, Comrade Tony Onyeagolum has denied the criminal allegations leveled on him by the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Anambra State, Chief Chikodi Anarah.
Mr. Anarah was reacting to a report published online where he was accused of instigating violence and rising crises in Isuaniocha, Awka North LGA of Anambra. According to the Commissioner, the former president-general was removed from office because of serious criminal activities and is also facing murder charges in Court.
In a statement signed by Ukpa Ewa, the public relations officer of the ministry, the commissioner said he is not a native of Isuaniocha and has no power to appoint or direct affairs within that locality, claiming that no one should associate him with causing crises in Isuaniocha.
However, in a counter-reaction by Comrade Onyeagolum, he explained that the major reason he was removed from office abruptly was because he was not in support and did not agree to sell some portions of land belonging to Community Secondary School, Isuaniocha. He described as false all the allegations against him by the commissioner, while challenging him to come out with facts to support the claims.
Comrade Onyeagolum, who recalled how close he was with the commissioner to the point that members of the Anara family once visited his Ghana residence, wondered why such a person would turn back to call him a drug addict.
According to him, Mr. Anara called him and told him to allow one Mr. Cosmos Okonkwor who is now a security adviser to Governor Soludo to enter and sell the portions of land as he, Mr Okonkwor assisted him to install a traditional ruler in Amanuke when he was the local government chairman of Awka North local government area.
He wondered why the former security adviser to Willie Obiano, would be accusing him over the death of one Mr. Angos, while there are up to six persons killed in the town which, he said, was why the security vehicle of the community is still parked at the Police station including one Toyota Camry car belonging to one of the two victims.
The former president-general then challenged the commissioner to allow the present administration to set up a panel and invite them both to appear and explain their various roles in the crisis rocking Isuaniocha as he had evidence to prove that he, the homeland commissioner, is responsible for the issues in the area. Comrade Onyeagolum said that contrary to the statement by the commissioner on why other people are not talking in the community, the silence is because anyone that talks risk being killed, attacked or their property destroyed.