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Mrs. Ogwo Scholastica Anolika, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, reportedly faced an alleged attack from Mr. Jonathan Uzoigwe, the Council Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA).
This incident occurred as she addressed workers in preparation for the upcoming nationwide celebration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
During a conversation with journalists in Awka on Friday, Mrs. Anulika revealed that she had been brutally assaulted by HLGA Mr. Jonathan Uzoigwe while attempting to prevent her from addressing workers for the celebration, as per the directive of the Council Transition Committee Chairman.
She further stated that the prompt intervention of Security Officers assigned to the Council Area prevented her from suffering even worse harm.
She said the incident happened at the Council Secretariat, on Wednesday.
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According to her, ‘I was given the 63rd Independence Anniversary invitation as the NULGE Chairperson in the Area by the Social Welfare Unit in the Council, so, I have to inform the workers that the Council Chairman has invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday, while addressing the workers, the HLGA, Mr. Chidozie, angrily came out of his office and ordered me to stop addressing workers, noting that there is nothing like NULGE in Orumba South and Anambra State in general and the process of trying to resolve the issue, he started beating me without considering that I am a married woman.’
‘During the attack, I sustained fracture in my right hand and bruises in other parts of my body.’
‘If not for the quick intervention of the security officers in the area, I don’t know what would have happened to me by now, I thanked God Almighty for spearing my life, she wept. She has made official report to the local Government service commission and the union state secretariat respectively.’
Mrs. Anulika reached out to the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, with a fervent request for him to intervene and restore order by addressing the actions of the HLGA. Her plea was rooted in the desire to prevent further disruptions to the peace and harmony of the Council Area.
The HLGA, Mr/Uzoigwe, in his swift reply, however, denied the allegation, saying ‘It is a taboo to beat a married woman in Igbo land’.
According to him, nothing of such happened in the Council Area.
‘How do you expect me, a HLGA to insult myself by beating a junior Staff?’
‘How will this sound before the public? When there are procedures and rules I would have applied if truly such case arises. My rank is above beaten any junior Staff. I did not beat her. It is a cook fabrication plan by her and the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, to tarnish the hard-end reputation I have built for decades across the state. The bandage she is tiring around her hand is a plan to spoil my name before the state government and the general public.’
‘The general public should please disregard the information,’ he submitted.
Responding to the incident, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, the State Chairman of NULGE, called for the HLGA’s suspension in light of his recurrent involvement in assaults. Chikwelu underscored that Uzoigwe’s actions had become a persistent problem, with numerous complaints previously forwarded to the appropriate authorities.
He stated that under his leadership, NULGE in Anambra would take a firm stance on the matter and work diligently to ensure that Mrs. Anulika received the justice she deserved.
‘The HLGA, Mr Chidozie will take care of the hospital bills, all the financial implications and other damages he has caused,’ the Chairman
