Ohanaeze Lagos Crisis: Legal Adviser Faults Composition of Fact-Finding Committee, Seeks Sen. Azuta-Mbata’s Intervention
By Naomi Onome
The Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Agubuzor Nkechi, has raised concerns over the composition of the fact-finding committee constituted by the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, to investigate the lingering leadership crisis in the Lagos chapter of the organisation.
Nkechi, in an open letter dated October 30, 2026, alleged that some members of the committee have personal relationships, political affiliations and interests capable of compromising the neutrality and credibility of the peace initiative.
She specifically identified Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Prince Tony Nwakaeze, General Abel Obi Umahi and Mazi Bismarck Oji as individuals whose inclusion, according to him, raises questions about possible conflicts of interest.
The legal adviser alleged that the committee’s membership list was drawn by Chief Evarist Ozonweke and that some of the persons appointed were his close associates and allies, a development he claimed could undermine confidence in the committee’s findings.
While commending Senator Azuta-Mbata for taking steps to resolve the protracted disagreement, Nkechi described the crisis as one that had persisted for almost a decade, accusing certain individuals of pursuing personal interests at the expense of the unity, peace and progress of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos.
She maintained that the crisis required a transparent and impartial intervention, warning that a fact-finding exercise involving persons allegedly connected to some of the parties could further deepen the divisions.
Nkechi also called on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General and the Global Executive Council to personally visit Lagos and hear from the contending parties before taking a final decision on the leadership dispute.
According to her, the preferred approach would be for the national leadership to invite representatives of the various groups involved in the crisis to appear before it at Ime-Obi, the organisation’s traditional decision-making body, for a fair hearing.
She argued that such an arrangement would provide an opportunity for all sides to present their positions directly rather than relying on what he described as hearsay evidence from groups with varying interests in the dispute.
The legal adviser further suggested that representatives of the contending groups should be given scheduled opportunities to make their submissions before the national leadership reaches a decision.
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Nkechi identified the principal parties to the leadership disagreement as Oba Ojoto, whom she described as the elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, and Chief Evarist Ozonweke, whom she referred to as the self-acclaimed South-West Coordinator.
She urged Senator Azuta-Mbata to exercise his constitutional and administrative authority to resolve the disagreement and ensure that any decision reached would be binding on the parties, their allies, associates, successors and representatives.
The legal adviser also recalled that the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had previously intervened in a leadership dispute involving the Igbo community in Abuja, insisting that a similar direct intervention in Lagos could help restore confidence and lasting peace.
She stressed that the objective should go beyond identifying the causes of the crisis to addressing the underlying issues and preventing a recurrence.
Nkechi concluded by appealing to Senator Azuta-Mbata to personally intervene and restore unity within the Lagos chapter, declaring that the people expected the national leadership to demonstrate fairness, integrity and a genuine commitment to resolving the dispute.
Read Also:Ohaneze Lagos Poll: Ubah Breaks Silence on Audio Leak, Denies Intent, Declares Loyalty to New Leadership
Excerpt from the open letter
In the letter addressed to Senator Azuta-Mbata, the legal adviser stated:
“The expectations of Ndigbo in Lagos is that your humble self and the members of the Global Executive Council, duly elected as our leaders, would come to Lagos ‘HEAR’ and ‘DECIDE’ as against sending ‘fact-finding’ committee of persons, most of whom have their linen already stained in the murky waters of this crisis owing to their past.
“This is the VOICE, the ECHOES and the DREAM of the average Ohanaeze person for the ultimate resolution of this crisis – MBATA DECIDES ON THE TRUTH!”
The letter was signed by Agubuzor Nkechi, Esq., Legal Adviser, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos.
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