An Abakaliki Magistrate Court has remanded Augustine Nwazunku, the former acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi, along with three others—Obinna Nwachukwu, Njoku Nwagu, and Ogbonnaya Idika—on charges of cultism, forgery, and impersonation.
The group is accused of illegally suspending Ali Odefa, the PDP’s South-East National Vice Chairman, by allegedly forging a letter claiming that the PDP in Ogudu-Okwor Ward had suspended him. The accused had presented themselves as ward executives during a press conference, but Odefa contested their claims, stating the suspension was “null and void.”
Following Odefa’s petition, the four were apprehended and brought to court on Tuesday, October 8. Magistrate Ojemba Isu-Oko denied their bail request, remanding them in custody until November 18. Additionally, they face allegations of being members of the Vikings Confraternity, a criminal group.
Accusations and Counterclaims
Herbert Ovuta, who claims to be the acting chairman of the Ogudu-Okwor Ward, alleged that the arrests were part of a conspiracy orchestrated by Odefa. He described a dramatic incident in which Odefa allegedly “led an invasion” of party members’ homes, abducting them with “thugs in unverified uniforms.” Ovuta claimed that these individuals were forcibly taken in front of their distraught families.
He further accused Odefa of misusing police resources, asserting that the charges against the four were “trumped-up” and part of a broader plan to destabilize PDP operations in Ebonyi, thereby favoring the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Ovuta appealed to Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun for a transparent investigation and a fair judicial process.