–         As Youth President, Odogwu Alleges Renewed Threat To Life

The case between the Orlu Catholic Diocese and the host community over the ownership of the former premises of Imo State Polytechnic, Orlu campus will come up today at the High Court, Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Meanwhile, the Youth President of Orlu community, Comrade Chijioke Odogwu has raised alarm over renewed threat to his life by some persons who are not comfortable with his position on the matter.

Odogwu who is one of the plaintiffs said he has been receiving threatening calls since the matter started. The most recent incident was last weekend when he was summoned by some persons who gave him a letter to sign. He noted that no amount of intimidation will deter him from forging ahead in the matter because what they are fighting for is justice. “Besides, Orlu community has been fair to the church. That is why we are in court. We are resisting the forceful acquisition of our land and will never give up.”

Recall that the Orlu community has vehemently protested the forceful acquisition of their land by the Catholic Church with the assistance of the State government.

The vast expanse of land that once served as the Orlu campus of the Imo State Polytechnic before it was relocated to Omuma is being claimed by the Catholic church, while the community is saying that they gave it to the state government for public use. Hence, it should be given back to the community, if it is no longer being used for the purpose for which it was originally donated.

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case it is engaged in with the Orlu community, Dominic Madukaku Nwadike of Umudihe village, in Orlu community has withdrawn.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, Domnic Madukaku Nwadike, 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 cautioned any person or group that will bear false witness against the community of dire consequences.