– Threaten Legal Action
Concerned indigenes of Ngwoma Obube Autonomous Community in Imo State have rejected a recent publication alleging that businessman and politician Prince Dr Alex Mbata was involved in the arrest and detention of some youths from the community.
The indigenes, in a statement signed by Oha Theordore Oparaocha, Chief Kingsley Ikpe Ugwu Mba 1, Prof. Philemon Okoro and Comrade Emeka Akwazie, described the publication as false and malicious.
The statement was issued in response to a report published in Nigeria Newspoint on Monday, October 5, 2026, titled, “Mbata Allegedly Fights Ngwoma Kinsmen, Detains Youths in Police Custody Over Criticism.”
The group maintained that Mbata neither ordered nor influenced the arrest or detention of any individual, insisting that the allegations were not connected to the ongoing Ezeship dispute in the community.
According to the statement, the Ngwoma Obube Ezeship matter is currently before the courts, with parties having made their submissions and awaiting judicial determination.
The indigenes also addressed a police matter involving an incident reported on June 7, 2026, which they said concerned allegations of arson, mob action and threats to life involving one Oha Theordore Oparaocha.
They alleged that police officers who went to arrest suspects for questioning were attacked, resulting in injuries to one of the officers. The statement said four suspects were subsequently arrested, investigated and granted bail, with an arraignment notice issued.
The group further alleged that the suspects had failed to appear at four subsequent court sittings. These claims were not independently verified in the statement.
On allegations involving a young man identified as Emeka Okea, the indigenes accused him of defamation, cyberbullying and failure to honour police invitations. They maintained that any police investigation or attempt to locate a suspect should not automatically be interpreted as political intimidation.
The group said Mbata had consistently contributed to community development through youth empowerment, educational support and humanitarian initiatives.
It further stated that while criticism of public figures was legitimate, such criticism should not extend to alleged defamation, cyberbullying or the publication of unverified claims.
“Freedom of expression must not be confused with the spread of falsehoods, defamation, cyberbullying, or conduct that may violate the rights of individuals,” the statement said.
The concerned indigenes challenged anyone responsible for the allegations to substantiate them, while urging members of the public to disregard what they described as false claims against Mbata.
They also announced that they would pursue available legal avenues against anyone they believe had defamed or unlawfully attacked the reputation of their community member.
The statement was copied to the Imo State Directorate of the Department of State Services, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, and the Divisional Police Officer of Agbala Police Division.
