Orlu Catholic Diocese Witness In Alleged Land Grabbing Case With Host Community Withdraws

–         Gives Reasons

In what many have described as a bold and courageous move to free his conscience one of witnesses of the Orlu Catholic diocese in the alleged land grabbing case it is engaged in with the Orlu community, (namewitheld) has withdrawn.

The witness, in an affidavit of withdrawal of written statement on oath which he deposed to in respect of Suit No:/HOR/48/2025 between  Comrade Chijioke Odogwu, Mr. Venantius Nwuji, Hon. Elijah P. N. Uzomba, for themselves and on behalf of the people of Umaire, Eluama Ndiowere and Ndukabia all in Orlu Autonomous Community, Orlu LGA Imo State and Governor of Imo State, The Hon Attorney General  and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State, Incorporated Trustees of Catholic Diocese of Orlu  as Plaintiffs and Defendants respectively, said, “I,, male, adult, Christian, Nigeria, of  Umudihe village, Orlu Autonomous Community in Orlu LGA of Imo State of Nigeria, do hereby make path and state as follows:

1. That on 21 day of August 2025, I made a written statement on oath in this suit in this court.

2. That by my said statement on oath, I am supposed to testify as a witness for the defendants in this case.

3. That for some obvious personal reasons I wish to withdraw my said statement on the path made for the 21th day of August 2025.

4. That I hereby withdraw my said statement on cath.

5. That I do not wish to testify as a witness in the proceedings for either the defendants or the plaintiffs.

6. That it is not my intention to prejudice the case of the defendants by this withdrawal as I make this affidavit for personal reasons not connected with the facts of the case as they stand.

7. That the defendants reserve the right to field another witness of their choice in my place and continue with their case.

8. That I swear to this affidavit in good faith believing the facts therein to be true and correct according to the Oaths Acts LFN 2004”.

Meanwhile, youths of the community had earlier frowned at any person or group that will bear false witness against the community. They issued the release which was signed on their behalf by Chijioke Odogwu and Kenneth Okorie following speculations that some persons are going about looking for those they will induce into testifying against the Orlu community.

They alleged that some agents of the church are also threatening members of the community’s executive council with a view to intimidating them into submission.