PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. DEMIAN IGBOKWE, SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE MINORITY WHIP OF THE 10TH SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
DATE: 16th, March, 2026
FALSE ALLEGATIONS, POLITICAL MISCHIEF AND A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO DESTABILIZE PEACE IN UTURU COMMUNITY
My attention has been drawn to a misleading media report titled “Abia Community Raises Alarm Over Alleged Illegal Mining, Names Damian Igbokwe and Others in Petition.”
The publication, which appears to have been orchestrated by the Traditional Ruler of Imobi Autonomous Community and amplified by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is nothing but a desperate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension in Uturu.
Ordinarily, I would ignore such blatant falsehoods. However, the deliberate attempt to drag my name into a matter that has already been investigated and settled by relevant authorities compels me to set the record straight.
A FALSE NARRATIVE BUILT ON MISCHIEF
The allegation that I facilitated or influenced the issuance of a mining license to Limel International Company Nigeria Limited is completely false.
For the avoidance of doubt:
I hold no office within the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development nor within the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, the statutory authority responsible for issuing mining licenses in Nigeria.
The Quarry Lease License referenced in the publication was issued strictly in accordance with federal mining regulations after due processes were followed.
Attempting to drag my name into the matter is therefore a calculated smear campaign designed to intimidate legitimate representatives of the Amanyanwu community, which historically owns the stone land in reference.
HISTORICAL FACTS THEY CANNOT ERASE
The truth remains simple and verifiable.
For more than five decades since 1972, the Nkume Ajaba stone lands in Uturu have been peacefully exploited without conflict.
The Amanyanwu community has always been the recognized ancestral owner of the stone land, exercising its rights through the community’s Town Union leadership.
From time immemorial, the President-General of the Town Union has executed consent agreements on behalf of the land-owning community, long before the Town Union was even registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
This practice has never been in dispute until recently when political actors began attempting to maliciously rewrite history for selfish gains.
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS CONFIRMED THE TRUTH
When the controversy was artificially escalated through petitions sponsored by the Traditional Ruler and promoted by Hon. Amobi Ogah, the matter was investigated by:
- The Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Abuja
- The Abia State Government
In every instance, the petitioners failed to produce documentary evidence supporting their claims.
In contrast, the Amanyanwu community produced verifiable records and historical documents establishing ownership.
The Abia State Government subsequently constituted a fact-finding committee involving the Ministries of Lands and Justice, the Office of the Deputy Governor and relevant security agencies.
During the field inspection, a traditional verification process was conducted.
In accordance with custom, kola nut was presented to the Amanyanwu community to perform the ritual prayers as the recognized landowners before the inspection began.
Representatives of the villages present were then invited to identify their respective stone lands.
Only the Amanyanwu community could physically identify and stand on the stone sites.
Other communities could not identify any such locations.
This exercise was recorded on video and reviewed by the Abia State Government, leaving no doubt about the ownership of the land.
Based on these findings, the Abia State Government formally ratified the mining agreement between Amanyanwu Community and Limel International Company Nigeria Limited, while warning against actions capable of disturbing public peace.
HOW HON. AMAOBI OGAH CHOSE POLITICS OVER PEACE
Despite the clear findings of government and the existence of documentary evidence, Hon. Amobi Ogah has continued to amplify false narratives and escalate tensions within the community.
Instead of promoting peace and responsible representation, he has:
- Encouraged repeated petitions that have already been dismissed.
- Supported attempts to alter long-established community ownership order.
- Repeated false claims on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Such conduct from a Federal Legislator is deeply troubling.
It is particularly disappointing because Hon. Ogah himself rode into the National Assembly on the political wave of the 2023 Labour Party, Peter Obi movement that swept many previously unknown candidates into office across the country.
Yet ironically, he has publicly attempted to deny the influence of that political momentum in his victory.
More concerning is the fact that his election itself was initially nullified by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal before he eventually secured victory at the Court of Appeal.
Below is a revised and sharper section added into the press statement. I kept the language strong but careful so it does not become legally defamatory while still politically stinging and persuasive.
A PATTERN OF HASTY AND CONTRADICTORY PUBLIC CONDUCT
Unfortunately, the conduct of Hon. Amobi Ogah in this matter fits into a broader pattern that many observers within the constituency have already known him for.
Among our Igbo people, such behaviour is often described as that of a “Jew guy,” someone who constantly pushes himself into matters cluelessly, without adequate understanding, preparation, or due diligence.
Hon. Ogah has repeatedly demonstrated a tendency to prop up issues and legislative ideas without sufficient research or consistency in principle.
A recent example illustrates this clearly.
Hon. Ogah publicly proposed that every public or civil servant in Nigeria should be compelled by law to enroll their children and wards in public schools or face punitive consequences.
While the idea itself was presented as a moral argument about improving public education, it quickly raised questions about its practicality, constitutionality, and sincerity.
Ironically, during the most recent admission cycle at Nile University in Abuja, the same Hon. Amobi Ogah was present at the matriculation ceremony of his daughter who had just been admitted into the private university.
This contradiction did not go unnoticed by many Nigerians who questioned how a lawmaker advocating compulsory public-school enrollment for others would simultaneously choose a private university education for his own child.
Such inconsistencies reinforce the perception that some of his public interventions are driven more by headline-seeking political theatrics than by careful legislative thought or principled leadership.
It is therefore not surprising that the same pattern appears to be playing out in the Uturu mining matter, where unverified claims and politically motivated narratives are being elevated above established facts, documentary evidence, and the findings of competent authorities.
Leadership, particularly in a diverse constituency like Isuikwuato/Umunneochi, demands maturity, restraint, and a commitment to truth rather than agitation.
Unfortunately, what we are witnessing in this case from Hon Amobi Ogah is far below standard of morality and good cis
One would expect such a controversial political trajectory to inspire humility and caution in public conduct.
Instead, what we have witnessed is a pattern of reckless political grandstanding that risks inflaming tensions within his own constituency.
A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT COMMUNITY LEADERS
The latest allegations accusing individuals from Amanyanwu community of forgery, impersonation or misrepresentation are nothing but desperate attempts to discredit legitimate community representatives who executed lawful consent agreements.
These agreements followed the same traditional and administrative procedures that have governed mining activities in the area for decades.
The claims being circulated therefore collapse under the weight of historical facts and government findings.
MY POSITION REMAINS CLEAR
Let it be clearly stated.
I did not influence the mining license.
I did not impersonate any authority.
I did not facilitate any irregular process.
My only connection to this matter is that I am an indigene of Amanyanwu community, which historically owns the stone land.
Beyond that, I have remained focused on my responsibilities in Abuja as Special Adviser to the Minority Whip of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Osita Ngwu.
A WARNING AGAINST POLITICAL INSTIGATION
Uturu has enjoyed decades of peaceful coexistence among its communities.
It would be tragic if that peace is destroyed by political actors attempting to manipulate local issues for personal relevance.
Those attempting to inflame tensions must remember that no political ambition is worth the breakdown of peace in our communities.
CONCLUSION
The attempt to drag my name into this matter is a desperate distraction from the real facts.
Truth, historical evidence, and government investigations have already spoken.
No amount of political propaganda can change them.
I therefore urge the public to disregard the false allegations and politically motivated narratives being circulated.
Peace, justice, and respect for established community rights must prevail.
At this point, the facts are already on record, historical ownership, documentary evidence, investigations by the Mining Cadastre Office, and the final position of the Abia State Government.
No amount of political noise can erase these truths. The people of Uturu deserve peace, development, and responsible leadership, not agitation fueled by misinformation.
I therefore challenge Hon. Amobi Ogah to rise above political theatrics and present verifiable facts rather than inflammatory claims capable of destabilizing his own constituency, where his impact is no where felt in the lives of the people.
If he truly believes in the allegations he has amplified, he should subject them to transparent scrutiny before the appropriate authorities.
Otherwise, the continued propagation of these false claims will only reinforce the growing public perception that this entire controversy is nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to fraudulently manufacture relevance at the expense of peace and truth.
