— As Ihitte Uboma Youths Call For Investigation
In what has been described as a brazen act of official corruption, Mr. Obed Ajonuma, an Imo indigene and investor based abroad, has accused the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), Mr. Frank Nkem Nzenwodo, of masterminding the illegal demolition of his multi-million-naira recreational facility in Owerri after allegedly collecting a N5 million bribe.
Mr. Ajonuma, who hails from Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, recounted his ordeal to journalists on Thursday, stating that he had acquired the land legitimately at Spibat, Umuodu Road, Owerri, and had completed the development of the property, which was sited next to established businesses like Fendoz Hotels and Rencas Hotels.
“I brought my wealth home to invest and to contribute to the economic growth of Imo State,” Mr. Ajonuma lamented. “I built a modern facility for recreation and refreshments. Everything was in line with due process. My land is bordered by fully developed properties. Yet, because one man, who has a two-storey building behind mine, wanted more space in the area, he decided to use OCDA to fight me.”
According to Ajonuma, the said individual collaborated with Mr. Nzenwodo and allegedly paid the OCDA boss N5 million to facilitate the demolition. Despite reaching out to the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, who reportedly intervened and contacted the OCDA boss directly, the demolition still went ahead because bribe had been paid.
“The Speaker spoke to him. I had hoped that would stop this evil plan. But greed won. The OCDA General Manager still went ahead, took the bribe, and ordered the demolition of my property. Over N200 million investment is now reduced to rubble. This is not just wickedness. It is criminal,” Mr. Ajonuma said bitterly.
The incident has sparked outrage in Ihitte Uboma, where indigenes have described the demolition as a direct attack on one of their most prominent sons. The Ihitte Uboma Youth Forum (IUYF), in a strongly worded statement, condemned the action, describing it as “a gross abuse of public office, economic sabotage, and an orchestrated witch-hunt against a patriotic son of Imo State.”
The group called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to immediately sack Mr. Nzenwodo from his position and order his arrest for gross misconduct and abuse of office.
“We will not sit back and watch as our sons and daughters who return to develop Imo are treated as enemies by agents of the state,” the IUYF statement read. “What happened to Mr. Obed Ajuonuma is an assault on every Imolite in the diaspora. If he could be treated this way, no investor is safe. OCDA, under Mr. Frank Nzenwodo, has become a tool for vendetta and land racketeering. We demand justice.”
Speaking through its publicity secretary, Comrade Reuben Ukwu, the group also warned that failure to address the matter urgently could result in mass protests and possible legal action against the OCDA.
Meanwhile, attempts to reach Mr. Frank Nzenwodo for his response proved abortive, as calls and messages to his known phone numbers were not returned at the time of filing this report.
This development is bound to further fuel concerns about the safety of investments in Imo State, particularly among diaspora communities, who often face discouragement from bringing their wealth home due to tales of extortion, land disputes, and official impunity.
As of press time, neither the Imo State Government nor the OCDA has issued an official statement on the matter. But pressure continues to mount for a full investigation, public apology, and compensation to Mr. Ajonuma, as well as the prosecution of all those involved in the alleged conspiracy.
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