SaharaReporters has learned that children from six families in Amaofia village, Umunevo Ohana-Amagunze autonomous community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu, have been barred from attending school and engaging in church activities within the community.
This development reportedly began on May 28, 2024, following the excommunication announcement by the new leadership of the Town Union, led by President General Anioma Ndubuisi, former President General Ozor Francis Nnamani (aka Omaga), and two others, Mr. Kelvin Uzor and Mr. Ozioma Ani.
According to community sources, the six families affected by the excommunication are the family of late Okoh Michael Nwobodo; Okoh Patrick and his family; Okoh Paul and his family; Okoh Maduabuchi and his family; Ani Onyeka and his family and Ani Michael and his family.
It was reported that the excommunication was announced to the entire community on May 27, 2024, through a public declaration by a town crier.
A community source informed SaharaReporters on Thursday that the excommunication was prompted by the President General’s (PG) directive ordering Mr. Paul Okoh and his family to vacate and relinquish ownership of their house and properties.
According to the source, the property in question has been in the family’s possession for over 50 years, and they have been residing there for decades.
“The PG claimed that the land where the house was built belonged to another family,” the source said.
“His refusal to vacate his house and properties for the said new owner as directed by Anioma Ndubuisi-led leadership of the Town Union, led to the announcement of the excommunication of elder Paul Okoh and family from rest of the community.
“He also announced the excommunication of his brothers and families, insisting that it was necessary for them to pressure their brother and his family to comply and vacate the property.”
The community source revealed that the PG and his cabinet believed Okoh’s nephews were facilitating their uncle’s non-compliance with the community’s directive, leading to their inclusion in the excommunication.
A video seen by SaharaReporters on Thursday shows a town crier announcing the excommunication, warning that any community member who associates with the six affected families will face a fine of N50,000 and other penalties as prescribed by the Town Union.
SaharaReporters has learned that schoolchildren from the families excommunicated on May 28 have been barred from attending school in both private and public institutions within the community.
This situation will have a significant impact on the affected children, as they will miss their third-term examinations, resulting in the need to repeat their classes once the issue is resolved.
When contacted by telephone, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoh, a member of the affected families, verified that his relatives had been excommunicated from the community.
Although, he did not give details, he simply said, “We are going to the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters now over this issue. This excommunication was announced since May 27, 2024.”
When reached for comment, Anioma Anthony, the President General of Ohana Amagunze, confirmed the incident but clarified that it was not a genuine excommunication.
Mr. Anioma, who stated that he was currently outside the country, informed SaharaReporters that the children of the affected families are still attending school and participating in church activities.
“It is not true that my Town Union of Ohana Amagunze excommunicated six families from the community. Outsiders are coming to our market and the affected families also come to the market.
“We don’t prevent them from trading with outsiders. What we resolved is that members of the community should have nothing to do with the families until they return a landed property allegedly taken from other families.
“The state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters invited all the parties today to the ministry in Enugu capital to look into the matter. But what I can tell you is that their children were not barred from going to school.”
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