One of the houses belonging to Chief Newton Agbofodoh, the Unevworo of Ekpan, who is currently in detention was set ablaze by unknown persons early yesterday morning
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There are various claims as to how the property got burnt. His supporters are claiming that the house was set ablaze by “Okowa boys” another view that it was due to electrical fault.
A facebook post by one Ureme Evwho alleged that, “In about 1:00am last nite the residence(Red Duplex)situated at 1 Chief Newton close in Ekpan belonging to high chief Newton Agbofodoh(Unuevworo Of Ekpan) was set on fire(burnt)by one Mr Ngozi Ijei Lawrence and Mr Newyear Iffie and cohorts…as directed by Hon Bright Edejevwhro and Mr Hillary Obiegulem(Principal secretary to Okowa)which led to damaged to properties worth millions of naira,the fire incident lasted for hours until the Chairman Of Uvwie Local Government Council(Chief Mrs Stella Dabonner) came to the rescue by calling fire fighters and calling on the neighbourhood to assist in quenching the fire…During the happenings Mr Newyear Iffie was summoned by the council chairman on phone to give statement because she saw the loyalist of Newyear running from the house when her security agents contacted were approaching the scene…”
The Usiavwe of Ekpan, Chief Victor Otomiewo in a facebook post wrote: “I was woken up at 1:45 am, with the report that the house of High Chief Newton Agbofodoh, the Unevworo of Ekpan which was vandalized two weeks ago was set ablaze right under the nose of security agents. I have been seriously traumatised, stressed and depressed by this latest development. How can you justify before the Almighty God that a man under the custody of the State is having his livelihood and properties looted and the remaining ones burnt without any iota of interference from the state. I initially resisted the temptation of using this medium to communicate but because all the security agents I contacted have refused to pick my calls, I had to resort to this medium. Even a lawyer, his wife who is also a lawyer and his family are now under threat from the same hoodlums. They have been given 3 days to withdraw a letter they rightly wrote to the government. WHY! WHY! WHY! Where do I go from here?”
An aide to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, Comrade Harry Odafe in a facebook post wrote: “I was not shocked to see the post by one disgruntled element with the name Ureme Evwho accusing the State Governor, Principal Secretary, Hon commissioner for Local Government, The vice chairman of the Uvwie Local Government Council and other persons as the mastermind of the Fire incident that partly touched the old house of Chief Newton AGBOFODOH…
Seriously, I don’t take the posts of such persons with questionable character serious because it is quite clear he is sounding like a Rabid Infested Dog looking for those to bite before he finally goes mad….
Now let me set the record straight for everyone to understand, after which everyone would actually get the clearer picture of who actually masterminded the said attack on Chief Newton AGBOFODOH’s Old residence…..
On Thursday 04.08.2016 at about 1:20 am, The Vice chairman Uvwie Local Government Council , Hon Chief Napoleon Iffie was called by the Council chairman Chief Mrs Stella dabono that she got a distressed call reporting the fire on chief Newton AGBOFODOH’s Old house, quickly the vice chairman rushed to the scene , met with the Council chairman and they practically put off the fire with the help of other residents, who came out to assist the Chairman and vice Chairman….
Furious about the incident, at about 11am of the said day, The Council Vice Chairman had a serious close door meeting with The Council chairman.
At about 2pm the Vice Chairman summoned an emergency meeting which had in attendance The Secretary to the Local Government council, Barr Agbaja Peter , The Leader of the Legislative Arm Hon Glory Utuedor , The Supervisory Councillor Hon Kingsley Urumedji , Members of Ekpan Community, Members of Ekpan Integrity Group (E.I.G), Members and executive of the youth body and others… During the meeting the Vice chairman registered his displeasure over the unfortunate incident that occurred, he made it very clear to them that he would make sure the culprits are hunted down and handed over to the relevant Law enforcement Agents to face the full wrath of the law……..The President of Ekpan integrity Group (E.I.G) equally spoke and condemned the act, saying that the law enforcement agents should not waste time in bringing the culprits to book……various youth leaders spoke and they all vowed to get down those that masterminded the attack……
So it is very clear that the youths of Ekpan Community would never attempt to burn down the house of Chief Newton AGBOFODOH…
These are my brain teasers….
1, why would the community youths attempt to burn down the Old house of Chief Newton AGBOFODOH instead of the New Palace?
2, Why was the house attacked a day before the proposed swearing in of the Caretaker committee members of Ekpan Development Committee (EDC)?
3, Why was the council boss called immediately at that time of the Night? And who called her?
4, why would one risk burning a Old two storey duplex , when the New palace is a big bungalow?
5, Why would the youths who are fighting tooth and nail in ensuring normalcy returns to the community immediately think of burning the house?
6, why would the youths use a car to carry out this unholy act, when they can actually walk to the house?
7, Who is trying to set up the Members and youths of the Community?
8, Who do you think would benefit when there is another breach of peace in the community?
9, Who do you think is trying to sow with a Goat to get back a Cow?
10, who do you think is trying to gain sympathy by proving it with this wrong move?
If we answer this questions truthfully, we would actually know the masterminds of this evil attack….
I condemn this Evil attack as I would join hands with the relevant authorities in making sure the culprits are apprehended…”
