Ikwuano Revenue Crisis: Famous Reporters Responds to Mayor Anthony Nwaubani’s Allegations (Part 1)

By Charity Uwakwe (Dist.)

It is not in the character of Famous Group International, publishers of Famous Reporters, to respond to every baseless allegation or unfounded claim, particularly those that exist only in the imagination of certain individuals. However, for the sake of setting the record straight and ensuring that the good people of Ikwuano Local Government Area are adequately informed of the facts, we have deemed it necessary to issue this response.

Our attention has been drawn to a statement issued by the media team of the Executive Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, which we believe was released under the direct supervision of the Mayor, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani.

Contrary to the impression created in that statement, Famous Reporters did not fabricate or manufacture the issues it reported. Our publication was based on an audiovisual interview granted by some youths of Ikwuano Local Government Area to Ikwuano TV Global, which came into our possession. Upon reviewing the video, we considered the matters raised to be of significant public interest and proceeded to report them in line with our responsibility as a credible news organisation.

Furthermore, it is important for the public to understand that our report was not based solely on the contents of the video. Following our review of the footage, we independently reached out to the former revenue collector, who alleged that he was wrongfully disengaged from service and subsequently victimised by the Executive Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Council and his wife. His account provided additional context to the issues already raised in the interview.

For the avoidance of doubt, our decision to contact the former revenue collector does not in any way negate the fact that we had already obtained and reviewed the audiovisual interview. Rather, it demonstrates our commitment to responsible journalism by seeking further clarification and additional perspectives before publishing our report.

It may also interest the public to know that Famous Reporters is in possession of documentary records of transactions which it believes are relevant to the allegations made by the former revenue collector. The records bear the names of the Executive Mayor, his wife, the Chief of Staff and other individuals identified in the allegations. These materials formed part of the information reviewed during our editorial verification process and remain available should they become necessary in any lawful or appropriate proceeding.

It is equally important to state that Famous Reporters also obtained and reviewed the audiovisual interview granted by Mr. Uchenna Onyekwe, the Abia Arise leader in Ikwuano Local Government Area, who expressed concerns over the administration of the Executive Mayor and raised issues regarding the alleged roles of the Mayor, his wife, Mrs. Nnenna Idelia Nwaubani, and other individuals.

For editorial reasons, however, Famous Reporters deliberately chose not to refer to or rely on Mr. Onyekwe’s audiovisual interview in its initial publication. In keeping with its editorial judgment and commitment to responsible journalism, the organisation intentionally avoided any reference to either the interview or Mr. Onyekwe by name, believing that doing so would reduce the intensity of public pressure on the already embattled Executive Mayor while ensuring that the initial report remained focused on the allegations made by the former revenue collector, Prince Ihechi Igbokwe.

Consequently, it is entirely inaccurate for anyone to suggest that our publication was predicated on Mr. Onyekwe’s comments. His name did not appear anywhere in our original report. It was only after the Mayor and his media team, in their bid to rebut the allegations made by Prince Ihechi Igbokwe, introduced Mr. Onyekwe into their official response that it became necessary for Famous Reporters to clarify that such an interview had indeed been obtained and remained in our possession.

In their rebuttal, they partly wrote: “The Uchenna who was so vocal making allegations against the Mayor (as instructed by their sponsors), was never involved in revenue assignment.”

It is therefore surprising that the same Mr. Onyekwe was later presented in the Mayor’s rebuttal as having denied granting any interview to journalists. Famous Reporters wishes to state categorically that it does not, and will never, fabricate interviews, quotations or reports for any reason whatsoever. We remain in possession of the complete audiovisual recording of Mr. Onyekwe’s interview.

Equally misleading is the assertion contained in the Mayor’s rebuttal that the video in question had been “forwarded many times” before it came into the public domain. That claim is entirely unfounded and exists only in the imagination of those who made it. For the avoidance of doubt, Famous Reporters did not rely on any purportedly “forwarded many times” video. The audiovisual material reviewed by our editorial team was obtained directly from the original source, enabling us to satisfy ourselves of its authenticity before any publication was made. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and should be disregarded.

It is also pertinent to state that, before publishing the story, Famous Reporters made genuine and repeated efforts to obtain the reactions of the Executive Mayor, his wife, and the Chief of Staff, all of whom were mentioned in the allegations made by the former revenue collector.

Despite several telephone calls and messages, the Mayor and his wife did not respond.

The Chief of Staff, Mr. Echefu Eberechukwu Echefu, however, initially responded via WhatsApp and questioned the authenticity of the allegations. In keeping with the principles of fair hearing and balanced reporting, our correspondent informed him that documentary evidence was available in support of the claims being investigated. Before the evidence could be forwarded, the Chief of Staff blocked the correspondent on WhatsApp.

Determined to ensure that every party was given an opportunity to respond, our correspondent contacted him through an alternative account. Rather than respond to the issues raised, he returned to the initial conversation after unblocking the correspondent and requested that she visit his office instead.

Our correspondent respectfully declined the invitation on security grounds and proposed that the conversation continue via WhatsApp messages or a telephone call. No substantive response was subsequently received before the story was published.

With respect to the electricity project in Isiugwu Amizi, Ikwuano Local Government Area, where the Mayor alleged that the delay in the project was caused by the Labour Party Youth Leader, Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis, Famous Reporters undertook an independent fact-finding visit to the community a day after the publication generated public attention.

During the visit, our correspondent interviewed several key stakeholders, who consistently maintained that Mr. Matthew Okechukwu Francis did not obstruct, delay or frustrate the electricity project. Their accounts formed part of our independent verification process and were considered alongside other available evidence before subsequent reports were published.

Despite the volume of information made available to it, Famous Reporters has, in the interest of fairness, responsible journalism and the preservation of peace, deliberately exercised editorial restraint by withholding certain sensitive information and materials obtained from key stakeholders within the Council.

Our decision not to publish such information should not be mistaken for a lack of evidence or an inability to investigate. Rather, it reflects our unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, due process and the public interest. We have consistently chosen to publish only information that has undergone careful verification and that serves a legitimate public purpose.

Meeting Attendees Allegedly Fault Mayor’s Leadership, Distance Themselves from Media Team’s Statement”

Contrary to the information contained in the Mayor’s recent statement, sources familiar with the outcome of the meeting convened by the Executive Mayor over the weekend, several attendees reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the affairs of the local government are being managed.

The sources alleged that some participants openly criticised the Mayor’s handling of key issues, urging him to retrace his steps and adopt a more transparent and inclusive approach to governance. They reportedly maintained that the current style of administration was not in the best interest of the council or its people.

The sources further claimed that many of those who attended the meeting were surprised after reading the statement subsequently issued by the Mayor’s media team. According to them, the contents of the publication did not accurately reflect the discussions or concerns raised during the meeting.

“They laughed after seeing the statement because it did not represent what transpired at the meeting,” one source alleged, adding that attendees had instead advised the Mayor to review his approach to governance and address the issues raised during their deliberations.

At Famous Reporters, our commitment remains unwavering: accuracy, fairness, balance and the public’s right to credible information. We shall continue to uphold these principles without fear or favour, while remaining open to legitimate corrections supported by verifiable evidence.