An Unnecessary Feud

Augustine Ilodibe

The crises in the house of late Augustine Ilodibe of the Ekene Dili Chukwu fame, centres around an equitable share of his immense wealth
By Chukwu Eke
If the dead can stir and talk, Augustine Ilodibe, who went to rest on July 1, 2007, after a meritorious life of hardwork crowned with stupendous wealth will surely stir and talk. He will ask the family he left behind where their sense of gratitude has fled to; if it is right that they pay him unnecessary feud for providing them a pool from where to draw blissful life. This is given the avanlache of recent reports that the late business mogul’s children have been rattling sabre over who controls his group of companies.
On May 27 and May 30, 2009, it was reported in several newspapers that Ekenedilichukwu C. Ilodibe, first son of the late business magnate by his second wife was intimidating directors of Ekene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies with force, using vigilantes and the Police.
However, a release by Festus Keyamo Chambers, solicitors to Ekenedilichukwu C. Ilodibe, debunked the reports and dismissed them as imaginary. The truth, according to the release, is that their client, Ilodibe Jnr., is the Group Managing Director of Ekene Dili Chukwu Group of Companies Ltd., and by virture of that position, is also the Chief Executive Officer of Ekene Dili Chukwu Nig. Ltd. They went further to claim that the late Ilodibe appointed their client the Managing Director of the Group of Companies in a letter dated March 23, 2004 and signed by him.
“But Odera Ilodibe, our client’s kid-brother, who just finished his NYSC in April, 2009, in concert with an uncle, P. E. Ilodibe, have bee parading themselves as Executive Director and Director/Field Service Manager of Ekenedilichukwu Nig. Ltd. respectively and have been obstructing the business of the company by calling illegal meetings and in addition illegally and criminally hijacking the proceeds of the business of the company and diverting same for personal use. These have been done in concert with some unseen cohorts. But rather than take laws into his own hands, our client opted for the law by reporting these criminal activities to the Nigerian Police. The first day the police went to merely invite them, armed thugs beat up one of the police officers,” the release stated.
It went further to explain that the matter was later reported by their client to the traditional ruler of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe K. O. Orizu (MFR), who invited all parties to his palace. It said the Igwe decided that their client, being the first son (Diokpala), should continue running the company on behalf of the family and take care of his siblings.
“The kid-half brother, prodded by unseen forces, disregarded this directive and continued with his act of lawlessness. This prompted our client to still toe the path of the law by reporting the matter to the Inspector General of Police. In addition, His Royal Highness took cue and reported the matter to the Police. The Inspector General by a signal dated April 15, 2009, directed the Commissioner of Police, State Headquarters, Awka, Anambra State, to look into the matter expediently.
“But Odera Ilodibe continued to insult his elder brother by disrespecting his authority and refusing to give up his act of lawlessness. He planted thugs in the father’s premises, called illegal meetings of staff behind his brother and appropriated income to himself alone. The situation was leading to a state of anarchy… As a result, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State decided to maintain peace at the said premises by arresting the thugs and promptly arrainged them in court, whilst keeping policemen at the premises to forstall a breakdown of law and order. Odera did not stop there. He then went to the highways all over the federation and began to divert the buses of his father inside his own premises, without due regard for all the directives given by all the authorities. He has sponsored newspaper attacks on his brother and the police in a bid to blackmail them to give up the property to him to run unhindered,” the release further stated. It added that contrary to the publications, their client, Ekenedilichukwu Ilodibe, had played his role well as the first son of the family.
“Our client did not only see to it that Mr Odera Ilodibe, his kid-brother, graduated from a degree programme from Igbinedion University, but also a monthly allowance of about N400,000 (four hundred thousand Naira) is given to him for the maintenance and upkeep of his mother who was the third wife of his late father. Contrary to media reports, the family of late Dr. (Chief) Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe is not at war. What is happening is nothing but the outrageous and reprehensible conduct of one person, Odera Ilodibe, who is the third son of his late father. His actions are misguided, misconceived and are borne out of greed. These acts are done in bad faith and we therefore call on the general public to discountenance him entirely,” it concluded.
Ironically, however, the mother of Ekenedilichukwu Ilodibe, Udioyibo Ilodibe, alongside seven other children of Augustine Ilodibe, have sued her first son. In the suit filed before Justice Aro- Lambo against Ekenedilichukwu, the petitioners are praying the court to restrain Ekenedilichuwku for parading himself as acting group Managing Director or Group Chairman of Ekenedilchukwu Group of Companies, or assuming any administrative actions, pending the determination of the suit.
As the public awaits the outcome of the suit, the wish that the Ilodibes will resolve the matter between them and continue to enjoy the blessing, bestored on them by their late father and husband runs high – and seemingly dry.