Abovwe family accuses council boss of disrespect, land fraud, abuse of power
In a stunning turn of events, the Abovwe family of Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, has formally suspended the Chairman of Ughelli North Council, Chief Jaro Egbo, over a litany of serious allegations ranging from physical assault on elders to financial impropriety and abuse of office.
The decision, reached during an extraordinary meeting on May 12, 2025, at Abovwe Hall, Ekrabovwe Quarter, was unanimously endorsed by representatives from the family’s four traditional gates, Owhefe, Ogun, Odebor, and Erineyenre.
The resolution bars Egbo from all family-related activities pending his public accountability and atonement.
According to a communique jointly signed by family gate leaders Pa. David Oduorere (Owhefe), Pa. Emmanuel Arhern Erhueh (Ogun), Mr. Joseph Egoide (Odebor), and Pa. Emagboro (Erineyenre), Chief Egbo allegedly assaulted elders within his own compound on April 29, 2025, an act they described as a “disgrace and affront to the institution of elderhood.”
“He remains suspended from participating in any family meetings or activities until he purges himself of his gross disrespect and disregard to the family elders whom he physically assaulted,” the communique stated.
Beyond the alleged physical attack, the embattled chairman is also facing accusations of fraudulent land dealings and mismanagement of communal funds. Key allegations include:
Fraudulently converting a 6-acre land purchase into 11 acres.
Collecting ₦8 million over three years ago to extend electricity to Abovwe Quarter without executing the project.
Diverting another ₦8 million derived from the sale of family land in Akpuvanagha.
Misrepresenting intentions to build an Anglican church on family land, which he later sold for personal profit.
Failing to repay financial assistance received from family land proceeds during his time in Abuja.
The family further alleges that Egbo has repeatedly overstepped his bounds by attempting to usurp the role of the family chairman and issuing threats of arrest and dismissal to elders who challenged his authority.
“He has continually intimidated and threatened to sack the family chairman when he has no such authority, and even threatened to jail the eldest family man who opposed him,” the communique added.
This rare public denouncement of a sitting local government chairman by his own kinsmen has intensified ongoing scrutiny of Egbo’s leadership, raising urgent questions about transparency and integrity in local governance.
As of press time, Chief Egbo has yet to issue an official response. However, a close associate who spoke on condition of anonymity claimed the chairman is the target of a smear campaign orchestrated by disgruntled elders seeking to undermine community by-laws for personal gain.
The suspension casts a long shadow over Egbo’s political future and underscores mounting public demand for accountability at the grassroots level in Delta State and across Nigeria.
As of press time, text and WhatsApp messages sent to Egbo had not been responded to.
Credit: Southernvoicenews except headline
