“Chief David Onuoha, Mayor of Ohafia, debunks false claims of assault and explains actions to protect Council land from encroachment. He reaffirms his commitment to safeguarding local government property.”
Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, has categorically denied recent allegations circulating on social media that he assaulted a Level 15 officer. The claims, which have been spreading rapidly, accuse the Mayor of slapping the officer for using a “track road” to evade clock-out time. In a statement, Chief Onuoha described the accusations as “false and malicious,” aimed at misleading the public.
Chief Onuoha clarified that the social media reports are an attempt to misrepresent his efforts to protect Local Government property. He explained that before he assumed office, unauthorized individuals had been encroaching on Local Government land, harassing council staff, and using police arrests to intimidate them. These activities had gone unchecked for over seven years.
“Upon assuming office, I took swift action to stop these unlawful encroachments,” Chief Onuoha stated. “I fenced the boundary between the Low-Cost Housing area and the Council grounds to prevent further trespassing.”
The Mayor further explained that some council staff, including a Deputy Director, Mr. Okorie Lekwa, continued to ignore these preventive measures. Instead of using the designated Council gate, they resorted to using ladders to scale the fence, despite multiple warnings.
Chief Onuoha confirmed that Mr. Lekwa was apprehended by Homeland Security while climbing over the fence and was subsequently handed over to the Area Command Police. “There is no ‘track road’ connecting the Council premises to the Shagari Low-Cost Housing estate, as falsely claimed,” Chief Onuoha emphasized.
Chief Onuoha reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding Council properties and ensuring proper conduct among staff members. “My focus as Mayor remains on repositioning the Council and protecting its assets,” he said, expressing gratitude to the staff and the community for their continued support.
The Mayor did not deny or accept the allegation of slapping the staff.
FULL STATEMENT FROM THE MAYOR OF OHAFIA LGA :
My Attention Has Been Drawn To Certain Malicious Reports Circulating On Social Media
I have been made aware of a report being circulated on social media by one Nwaigwe John Sunday, alleging that I, as the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, slapped a Level 15 officer simply because he used a track road to beat clock-out time. This allegation is not only false but a deliberate attempt to mislead the public regarding the true nature of the situation.
It is important to clarify the actual circumstances. Before my emergence as Mayor, some individuals had been encroaching on the Local Government land with the intention of forcefully annexing it. These land grabbers went as far as harassing and intimidating senior council staff, even resorting to police arrests and detention in order to pressure them into submission. This situation had persisted for over seven years, with no one stepping in to protect the Council or its staff.
When I assumed office as Mayor, I took swift action to put an end to these unlawful activities. I successfully halted the troublemakers and secured the Local Government property by fencing the demarcation between the Low-Cost Housing area and the Council grounds to prevent further trespassing.
However, some staff members, including the individual in question, Mr. Okorie Lekwa whose picture appears here and who reside in the Shagari Low-Cost Housing estate, chose to ignore these measures. Instead of using the proper Council gate, they resorted to climbing over the fence using ladders, despite repeated warnings from relevant authorities.
Mr. Okorie Lekwa, a Deputy Director, was brought to my office by Homeland Security after being caught climbing over the fence with the ladder shown in the picture. He had ladders placed on both sides of the fence. I asked him if the allegations were true, and he confirmed that they were, admitting that this had been his usual route for coming to work. As a result, I handed him over to the Area Command Police to answer for his actions. He has since written a statement admitting to his undisciplined behavior. They had even removed two rows of blocks to lower the fence at some spots.
Let me be clear: there is no “track road” connecting the Council premises to the Shagari Low-Cost Housing estate, as claimed. The report by Nwaigwe John Sunday is based purely on hearsay and does not reflect the facts of the matter. All the workers assembled, including the HOS, HODs, the NULGE President Mr. Ojisi Onuoha and all NULGE officials who appealed to bail and caution him, were unanimous in condemning Mr. Okorie Lekwa.
My focus as Mayor remains on repositioning the Council and ensuring that its properties and assets are well protected. I appreciate the continued support of the staff and the community as we work together for the betterment of Ohafia.
Thank you.
Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, MFR,OON “Ugo’Ena” Nde Abiriba.
Mayor, Ohafia Local Government Area
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