KINGSLEY EBERE
Some members of Lagos Council of Ndieze led by Eze Chris Offia and self acclaimed leader of Ohanaeze, Chief Sunday Ossai, had a nasty experience at the weekend for allegedly organizing an illegal Ohanaeze meeting against the Court consent judgement.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that both Eze Offia, Chief Ossai and their members took to their heels, abandoning their vehicles to escape arrest when they sighted the presence of the Police at the venue of the meeting.
The incident happened on 1st March, 2025 at Great Villa Hotel, 36/38 Nathan Street, Off Tejuosho Ojulegba Road, Sululere area of Lagos.
Trouble was said to have started after Eze Offia and Chief Ossai sent a circular calling for the meeting of Ohanaeze in Lagos State without the consent of the authentic president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, who had a valid Court judgment.
This followed a petition written by the Chief Solomon Aguene to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters Annex, Alagbon, Lagos over their alleged conduct.
In the petition dated 28th February,2025 written by Barr. Ejim Joseph of EjimJoseph & Co Solicitors, it stated:
Dear Sir,
“RE: A CASE OF UNLAWFUL GATHERING, BREACH OF PEACE, CONDUCT LIKELY TO CAUSE PUBLIC UNREST, AND THREAT TO LIFE OF OUR CLIENT BY ACCLAIMED CHAIRMAN COUNCIL OF NDIEZE NDIGBO, LAGOS, EZE SIR CHRIS OFFIA KSM (08119191010) AND HIS COHORTS IN FRAGRANT DISOBEDIENCE OF SUBSISTING JUDGMENT OF THE HONOURABLE COURT OF LAGOS STATE.”
We are Solicitors to CHIEF SOLOMON OGBONNA (President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos) and others (hereinafter referred to as Our Client) on whose express instructions we write regarding the above captioned matter.”
“Our Client informed us that the Leadership position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos State is no more an issue; as the High Court of Lagos State had put that to rest in a consent judgment of the Court dated the 12th day of April, 2022 making Our Client the authentic President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos State, the said Judgment of the Honourable Court is hereby attached for ease of reference.”
“However, to Our Client’s greatest chagrin and constemation, the suspect and his cohort has been parading himself as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos State, and has been threatening to deal with Our Client and all the Executive members of authentic leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigtia of Lagos State, and worst still, the suspect and his cohorts have gone ahead to fix unlawful, illegal meeting capable of throwing the entire State into social unrest and imbroglio, leading to loss of lives and properties. The meeting invitation is hereby attached for ease of reference.”
“Sir, the unlawful, illegal meeting has been scheduled to hold on the 1st day of March, 2025, at Great Villa Hotel, 36/38 Nathan Street, Off Tejuosho, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos State by 12 noon,”
“We therefore, appeal to you sir, to use your good office to direct a competent team of your officers and men to stop the suspect forthwith from carrying out the said unlawful, illegal gathering, to investigate accordingly in the interest of justice and subsequently arrest and prosecute the suspects.”
“While we look forward to your kind approval of this petition, kindly accept the assurance of our highest consideration always.”
Based on the petition, the Police stormed the meeting venue to invite the organizers of the meeting summoned by Eze Offia and Chief Ossai through their invitation letters signed by Eze Offia to Ndieze while Ossai’s secretary, Robert Obasi for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The suspects are now facing the charge for contempt of Court by organizing an illegal Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State meeting and may likely be charged to Court for the alleged offence.
They are expected to report to the Force Headquarters Annex at Alagbon, Lagos, to explain why they organized the meeting knowing fully that Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene is the recognized President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State by the subsisting consent judgment of the Lagos State High Court affirming him as the authentic Ohanaeze president.
