KINGSLEY EBERE
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Aguene, has warned Ndigbo to beware of some people parading themselves as angels because they are actually devil incarnates that are causing crisis in the Lagos State Chapter.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Chief Aguene went on to mention self acclaimed Pastor and then factional Ohanaeze President, Dr Femi Ferguson, and how he allegedly collected N7m to settle the factions for peace to reign in Ohanaeze, which led to the consent judgment of the Lagos State High Court.
Chief Aguene, who is also known as Udo Chia Ndigbo, stated this on the heels of Dr Ferguson’s claims that the Court judgment was fraudulent in a publication and yet they did not go to Court to vacate it over the years.
Aguene stated that Ferguson collected the money in the presence of one of aides one Jude Onyabor at the Ohanaeze Secretariat, Surulere area of Lagos State.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo President explained that he was surprised that Dr Ferguson, who attended several of his meetings, praised him and informed Ndigbo that Aguene was just starting his tenure after the Court judgment, which will elapsed in 2026.
On how Ferguson collected the money in question, Aguene explained that there were three factions then led by Col. Nwakor, Odenjiji, who Ferguson later replaced and himself, who won the election after Ohanaeze Worldwide conducted another election.
However, Chief Fabian Onwuhalu led others faction and then went to Court joining Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in the suit and he later joined in the suit before the Court.
Aguene explained that Ferguson later met him and told him that he has repented and has became a pastor and explained that some of Ohanaeze activities were not in line with his new Faith.
He said Ferguson also claimed that he was tired of the litigation and that he had paid his lawyer over N3m on the matter and asked him (Aguene) to refund the factions money for litigations to the tune of N7m so that he would face his new pastoral work.
According to Aguene, Dr Ferguson explained how the money will be shared, namely – Chief Onwuhalu- N1m, Col Nwakor -N1m, himself, N3m and another N2m for his factions.
He stated that Ferguson convinced him that he was the engine room that will make Onwuhalu’s factions ineffective if he decides to continue with the litigation and asked him to confirm from Ikeja mafians who removed Odenjiji over Governor Obiano’s N5m and install him as factional president of his group.
He explained that the money was sourced and he withdrew and joined him after the consent judgment and he was appointed the Vice Chairman of Ohanaeze Council of Elders Committee.
Aguene further explained that this issue of consent judgment was suggested by both Ferguson and Onwuhalu and they consented to it but later came back to demand more money from him and he refused and they turned into opposition.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo President wondered why Dr Ferguson will be spreading falsehood whereas he was part of the peace process that led to the Consent Judgment after collecting money for litigation expenses. Chief Aguene stated that the only major issue he had with Ferguson was the time he came to his office at Ikoyi asking him to give him Range Rover SUV to attend the Pastors Conference so that other Pastors will know that he doing well as a Pastor and was getting members for prayers which he accepted. However, Aguene explained that he had an emergency and traveled to the Southeast at the time Ferguson needed the Range Rover and he was unable to give it to him. He stated that the last time he met him was when he came to his office asking for N5m, which he did not give him and he walked away angrily feeling disappointed.
Chief Aguene’s reaction followed the publication Ferguson made claiming that Lagos Ohanaeze conducted an election that was free and fair and Chief Leo Okafor emerged as president. However, the National body of Ohanaeze led by Nnia Nwodo stepped in and dissolved the Okafor-led executive and fresh election was conducted and Chief Aguene emerged.
Dr Ferguson stated that the factions challenged the dissolution of executive in the Court and the claimants were Chief Mike Chidebelu, Chief Amadi Ezenwa (now late) and Dr. Ferguson; and others and the defendants were Chief Nnai Nwodo, Hillary Okpara and others in Suit No. ID/4898 GCM 2018.
He stated that in the midst of all these that Chief Solomon Aguene was elected president of the chapter and he reached out to the factional groups to make peace. Ferguson collected the money and withdrew from the suit remaining Chief Mike Chidebelu and his group and they agreed on the consent judgment that declared Chief Aguene as president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
When P.M.EXPRESS contacted Dr Ferguson on his known phone number over the allegations by Chief Aguene, his phone was switched off and he did not reply WhatsApp message either.
Dr Dom Femi Ferguson also received long service award from Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene dated 27th September, 2021 at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos as presented by the Aguene’s Chief of staff, Chief Chimereze Thompson Ohia. So who is lying here?
