(Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo. Photo by Arise TV)
The Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu Kingdom in Delta State, Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo brother of former Finance Minister and current World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has found himself at the center of fresh controversy, with community members accusing him of land grabbing, silencing critics, and allegedly weaponizing security agencies to crush opposition within the kingdom.
The allegations have gained renewed attention following the arrest and remand of activist Victor Ojei by a Federal High Court in Asaba, on charges of cyberstalking and criminal defamation.
The charges relate to social media posts in which Ojei allegedly accused the monarch of unlawfully selling community land that had been designated for a youth agricultural empowerment initiative to a private company.
Prosecutors contended that the posts were defamatory and in violation of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act. Ojei pleaded not guilty, and the court adjourned proceedings to hear his bail application while directing that he remain in custody in the meantime.
Beyond the courtroom, community sources have painted a broader picture of alleged abuse of power, claiming the monarch has used his influence and ties to security forces to control land dealings and suppress those who dare to speak out against him.
Specific allegations include land acquisition disputes, destruction of farmlands in neighboring communities, and the deliberate targeting of vocal critics.
The palace, however, has maintained that certain land transactions were conducted legally and supported by official government documentation.
The controversy is further deepened by revisited allegations that the monarch and his brother were reportedly connected to theft convictions in the United States during the 1990s — claims that have resurfaced amid the current tensions.
The unfolding situation continues to stoke deep divisions within the community, with disputes over land, traditional authority, and the treatment of activists remaining at the core of a growing public debate about the nature of leadership in Ogwashi-Ukwu.
