How Gov Uzodinma’s Brother Sent Thugs To Brutalize Me- Journalist

Uche Uzodinma, a younger brother of the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, has been accused of sending armed thugs to attack an Owerri based newspaper publisher.

Although he denied the claim that he sent thugs who brutally manhandled the publisher, Comrade Prescious Nwadike, despite photo evidence.

Nwadike accused the governor’s brother of sending thugs to attack him along Portharcourt road on Tuesday.

Narrating his ordeal, Nwadike said:“I had visited National Identity Management office, which is located along Port-Harcourt Road, by Eberelinks fuel station, to enroll for National Identity Number. Upon arrival to the office, I was given a form and referred to OCDA office( still at Port-Harcourt Road) for data capturing. Knowing that it was already getting late, I pleaded with the lady to accompany me to OCDA so she could make case for me and she obliged .

“The lady and one other woman who came for the enrollment got into the vehicle and we drove to OCDA. On getting to OCDA office, a man hit on our car bonnet and asked us to reverse. At first, I thought it was one of those thugs around OCDA office. It was when the other person who was flanked by two policemen instructed us to reverse the vehicle, introducing himself as the contractor of the Port-Harcourt Road project, that I realized that they were renovating the road and I obeyed even when I didn’t know their reason for ordering us back. It was later I discovered that the said contractor is actually Senator Hope Uzodinma’s brother, Mr Uche Uzodinma. While I tried to park, the same man began to deride me, describing our vehicle as rickety, threatening to deal mercilessly with us if we wait any further.”

He continued, “We eventually parked across OCDA and attempted to cross over the other lane, when the same man who threatened to deal with us held me back and started beating me. “Thereafter, he ordered some thugs who were with him to deal with me. He stood by to watch his thugs beat me to stupor. I lost consciousness when one of them hit me on the back of my neck.

“It took the intervention of two aides of Engr. Ikpamezie, the MD of OCDA, to prevent them from killing me. The OCDA boss upon sighting me shouted my name. Mr Uche Uzodinma entered his black Toyota Hilux and zoomed off with his convoy loaded with stern-looking men. I could not move any further. I fell down,” he narrated.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday, Uzodinma said the allegation was baseless, saying he never instructed anyone to beat the journalist up and was not at the scene of the event.

“My brother I am tired. No one beat up the guy.

“He was going to OCDA, people were laying asphalt and there was a caution sign, the guy drove straight and crashed into the asphal. He and the labourers working on the road had exchange of words and nobody touched him and I was visibly far away from them.

“I don’t know why he is calling my name, I wasn’tinvolved in all this mess, and I don’t want this nonsense.

“I really don’t know what is wrong with the guy, nobody touched him. I have been receiving similar calls on this same issue.

“I guess he is seeking attention. It’s not even a story as I was not even there. I just went to Portharcourt road today and there was no such story.”