Enugu Gov’t Denies Disobeying Court Order Over Town Union Crisis
The government of Enugu State, Wednesday, said that it did not disobey any court order in constituting a caretaker committee for the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union of Obeagu Ugwuaji Community in Enugu South LGA.
The clarification was contained in a release by the state Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by its Media Consultant, Sammie Eche Agbo.
It was reported that the ministry disobeyed a court order restraining it from dissolving and reconstituting the community’s town union executives pending the determination of a motion on notice.
The release alleged that the reports were “deliberate and misleading, and aimed at discrediting the ministry’s lawful actions in the interest of peace, order, and community progress”.
It stated that, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry—after extensive consultations and in line with its statutory responsibilities—took a decision to dissolve the existing Town Union leadership in Obeagu Ugwuaji and to constitute a five-man Caretaker Committee to restore peace, foster inclusiveness, and ensure a smooth transition towards credible town union elections.
“This action was taken pursuant to Section 26 of the Funds for Rural Development Law, Cap. 81, Laws of Enugu State 2004, which empowers the commissioner to dissolve any Town Union that is deemed a threat to peace, development, or unity within the community.”
The ministry stated that at the time the committee was constituted, “no injunction had been served on the Honourable Commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo”. The release added that the exercise followed the due procedure and was executed in the exercise of powers granted by the laws of Enugu State.
According to the release, “Allegations of contempt and backdating of documents are therefore unfounded, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to stir public unrest.”
It enjoined the media to refrain from “sensational reporting by investigating and balancing their reports in the interest of fairness and justice”.
It added, “The Honourable Commissioner has no personal interest in the leadership of any community but remains committed to ensuring that peace, transparency, and inclusivity guide the administration of rural communities in the state.
“It is regrettable that certain individuals, bent on retaining control through factionalism and exclusion, have resorted to threats, blackmail, and false narratives to derail the peace efforts of the government.”
THE WHISTLER reports that an Enugu-based lawyer, Mr Emeka Abah, had Tuesday demanded the resignation of Commissioner Ogbodo in the community.
Barrister Abah claimed that Justice C.A Ogbuabo of the Enugu State High Court had on 2nd June, 2025, issued an injunction prohibiting the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and its Commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, among others, from constituting a caretaker committee of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Development Union pending the determination of the substantive application for a judicial review.
He alleged that, “Investigation shows that the commissioner purportedly moved ahead to constitute a caretaker to pilot the affairs of the community thereby necessitating the contempt proceedings.”
Enugu Gov’t Denies Disobeying Court Order Over Town Union Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
