Tension in Ojukwu’s family over property

Members of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu family may be setting for a showdown over the sharing formula of the ex-Biafran warlord's property. A prominent member of the Ojukwu family, who did not want his name in print, said, "About two weeks after the burial of Ezeigbo Gburugburu, family members are already forming groups against one another on how they can benefit from the property he (Ojukwu) left behind.

"This is very disturbing because it has led to accusations and counter-accusations and then the hatred that was already in the family is even getting worse by the day.

"Some of them felt that they were left out of the burial plans while the others ran the show with the aim of being close to the President and ensure that they benefit from the seat of power after the burial."

Debe, the eldest son of the deceased, had a fortnight ago told our correspondent that the problem in the family before the death of his father had to do with the large estate his grandfather left behind.

He had alleged, "There have been litigation over the estate my grandfather left behind and other members of my family felt they were going to use the litigation to blackmail me.

"That is why when they (family members) wanted to see President Goodluck Jonathan over the burial plans, they decided to be hostile towards me and ensured that I was not part of the team that visited the President.

"Due to my nature, I decided not to allow the hostility impede the burial activities of my father, a man I still respect so much even in death."

Debe, however, promised on Tuesday to speak "soon", where he would "unveil the true details surrounding the crisis in the family".

Meanwhile, the GRA, Enugu residence of the Igbo leader looked abandoned as no family member was around when our correspondent visited.

Some of the domestic servants, who were seen at the gate, said they suspected trouble might be brewing having observed the consistent visits by friends and associates of Ojukwu, Prof. Okwu Okwu, who have been coming to settle differences among family members.

Culled from Punch