By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
A businessman and community leader, Mr. Ogbonna Nwaeni, has denied allegations that he forcefully took possession of a residential property belonging to the family of his late uncle in Amaeze Ishiagu community, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, insisting that the house was legally acquired through a properly documented transaction with the deceased owner’s adult children.
Mr. Nwaeni said claims that he unlawfully evicted a widow from the property were “misleading and unfounded,” maintaining that the purchase followed due process and was concluded with the full knowledge and consent of the vendors.
“I did not force anyone out of their home. The property was sold to me by the children of the late owner, who are all adults and fully aware of the transaction. The sale was conducted properly and documented,” he said.
According to him, the individuals who executed the sale include Chinagorom Okereke Nwaeni, Chibuike Okereke Nwaeni and Emeka Okereke Nwaeni, all sons of the late property owner.
He explained that the agreement was formally executed in January 2025 and witnessed by relevant parties, noting that the documentation includes a written deed of agreement as well as verifiable evidence of payment made through a bank transfer.
“The transaction was properly documented. The agreement was signed, and the payment was made through the bank with witnesses present,” he stated.
Mr. Nwaeni disclosed that he purchased the four-bedroom bungalow for ₦14 million and has since regarded himself as the lawful owner based on the contractual agreement reached with the vendors.
Documents made available to journalists indicate that the payment for the property was processed through United Bank for Africa (UBA) on January 2, 2025. The sum of ₦14 million was reportedly transferred from Mr. Nwaeni’s UBA account to a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) account belonging to Emeka Emmanuel Okereke.
Sources familiar with the transaction said the three brothers had mutually agreed that the payment be made into their younger sibling’s account, after which they confirmed receipt of the funds.
Community sources also identified the disputed property as a four-bedroom bungalow located directly in front of a hotel owned by Mr. Nwaeni in Amaeze Ishiagu.
The businessman further revealed that the issue had previously been brought before the police through a petition, adding that officers contacted the children who conducted the sale to verify the transaction.
“The police invited the children and spoke with them on the phone. All three confirmed that they sold the property to me,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Mr. Nwaeni maintained that prior to the recent complaint, no member of the family or the community had raised objections regarding the sale.
“There is no one in this world without enemies. I believe some individuals who do not wish me well may be instigating this matter,” he remarked.
Nevertheless, he called for calm and urged family members to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than confrontation.
He noted that the complainant, Mrs. Florence Nwaeni, is the widow of his late father’s brother and therefore remains a respected member of the family.
“She is my father’s brother’s wife, so she is like a mother to me. My advice is that she should speak with her children who sold the property. If she approaches me peacefully for assistance, I will do what I can because she remains family,” he added.
The dispute gained public attention after Mrs. Florence Nwaeni, widow of the late Mazi Abraham Nwaeni, submitted a petition dated March 5, 2026, to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police in Abakaliki.
In the petition, the widow alleged conspiracy, forceful entry, trespass and breach of peace, claiming that Mr. Nwaeni had earlier attempted to persuade her to sell the only house left behind by her late husband, who died in 2024.
The widow appealed to the police to assist her in recovering possession of the property and to provide protection while the matter is being investigated.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, sources within the command indicated that the petition is currently under review as investigators examine documentary evidence and statements presented by both parties.
The development has once again underscored the growing prevalence of inheritance-related property disputes across communities, particularly in situations where the authority to dispose of family assets and the consent of surviving relatives remain contested.
