Igbo Speaking Community Crisis: Udeh, Uzoegbunam Snub Lagos CP

KINGSLEY EBERE 

The leadership crisis rocking the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos has taken a new twist as two  former leaders  Chief Sunday Udeh and Chief Okechukwu Uzoegbunam, allegedly shunned an invitation by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, over allegations of threat to life and attack on the community’s leadership.

The President General of the association, Chief Chukwudi Chinye, confirmed the development, stating that both men were invited by the police for questioning but refused to show up and gave no reasons for their absence.

The police invitation followed a formal petition dated September 16, 2026, filed at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, by E.M. Badmos and Co., Legal Practitioners and Property Consultants, on behalf of Chief Chinye and Mr. Joshua Kalu, the Secretary of the association.

In the petition, the duo accused Chief Udeh and Chief Uzoegbunam of alleged threat to life, attempted murder, wilful destruction of properties and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

According to the petitioners, the crisis escalated after an executive allegedly led by Chief Sunday Udeh was removed from office over alleged embezzlement of association funds to the tune of N150 million.

Following the removal, Chief Chukwudi Chinye reportedly emerged as the new President General, a development the petitioners claim did not go down well with the ousted leadership.

The petitioners allege that since the change in leadership, Chief Udeh had allegedly vowed to make life difficult and unbearable for the new executive and those who supported his removal.

Giving details of alleged incidents, the petitioners claimed that on September 7, 2026, Chief Udeh was captured on record at a public gathering where he allegedly threatened to deal with Mr. Joshua Kalu and members of his family. They said evidence of the alleged threat has been preserved for investigators.

It was further alleged that on September 8, 2026, a group of masked armed men stormed the residence of Chief Chinye at Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. According to the petition, only his wife and children were at home when the incident occurred.

The petition also alleged that Chief Okechukwu Uzoegbunam, described as a close ally of Chief Udeh, sent threatening WhatsApp messages to Chief Chinye, including the phrase your days are numbered, causing serious fear and apprehension.

The law firm therefore called on the Commissioner of Police to thoroughly investigate the matter, invite the suspects for questioning and prevent a total breakdown of law and order within the Igbo Speaking Community.

Police sources disclosed that operatives were deployed to the house and office of Chief Udeh, but he allegedly evaded them by locking himself indoors and switching off his phones. Chief Uzoegbunam, popularly known as Okey, is also said to have gone into hiding, with efforts to track him proving abortive.

A police source who spoke on condition of anonymity said investigation is ongoing and efforts are being intensified to ensure the suspects honour the police invitation.

As of press time, efforts to reach Chief Udeh and Chief Uzoegbunam for their own side of the story were unsuccessful as their telephone lines remained switched off.

Legal experts note that all those named are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and the allegations remain subject to police investigation.

The Lagos State Police Command is yet to issue an official press statement on the matter.