By Don Peter Okoro.
Confusion and anxiety have gripped the ancient kingdom of Ozubulu Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State over the Community’s refusal to bury one of their own in his own compound.
The story of Bishop Emmanuel Nwadioramma the G O.of Life Builders Ministry and President of the International Helpers Organization is quite pathetic. Narrating the story of what gave rise to this development, the first son of the deceased, Pastor Onyekachi Nwadioramma pointed out that his late father purchased the lands and performed all the Customary Rites except the spot on which he built an upstairs.
According to him:”” The type of Agreement he had with the man is that the man said he would not sell the land to him because of their good relationship, but should be attributing #1000 yearly.
That whether dead or alive no one in Ubahu can take the land from him. “”. Continuing he said: “”Meanwhile, in that same compound my grandmother was buried there in the 70s, My grandfather was buried there in 2004. My younger brother Nnamdi Nwadioramma was buried there in 2007 and my mother Goodness Nwadioramma was was buried there in 2017.
Every member of Ubahu and Umuanyegbu kindred attended these burials and there was no dispute or disagreement over land or anything, until my father died on the 13th of November 2024. Then some persons started advising me to go and bury him in the bush.
When my father was healthy and alive, nobody came challenging him on the Ownership of the land and no one was having any land dispute with him, until he became incapacitated, unable to speak and walk before he died. “”. Explaining further, he said:
“When the Vendor of one of the land was contacted on the day of the burial, he confirmed that my father bought the land from him. Note that the sane land was first Transacted with his father way back, but because there was no Paper Documentation, my father Re – Purchased it from the man’s son by name Chimeze and they Signed DEED of CINVEYANCE.
After about 11 years, the elder brother of Chimeze came to my father saying that he is the rightful person he is supposed to do the land Transaction with as the eldest son. To avoid problems, my father now Re-Negotiated with him and they agreed on #500,000 .
My father paid him #400,000, but on the day of the burial, when he was contacted, he said my father only paid him #250,000 and that he won’t collect #250,000 as balance as the land has appreciated and would now go for #1 Million.
After some negotiation, #250,000 was deducted from the #1 Million to balance #750,000. I transferred the #750,000 immediately which he confirmed and said that he has no hand in the land anymore, that whatever we want to do,we can go ahead. But the PG of Ozubulu said even if we paid #100 Million that my father must be buried in the bush.””. Also speaking the Minister who was billed to officiate at the Funeral Ceremony, Archbishop Prof Emma David Okafoagu JP2 Of New Covenant Of God Mission Akabuokwu Uruagu-Nnewi has this to say:”
” I came to the venue with one other Archbishop, three Bishops, some Pastors and a Journalist. On getting there, I saw a lot of people and even spotted two Live Bands. I also saw the Local Vigilante and their vehicles all stationed, but nothing was happening. When I enquired, I was told that there was a disagreement over where to bury the deceased. I spoke with a man on phone who said he owned the land and that the deceased had paid #250,000 out of #500,000 remaining #250,000 but would no longer accept #250,000 but #1 Million. After much negotiation, he agreed that the #250,000 should be removed from the #1Million to balance #750,000 which the family transferred immediately to his Account and he confirmed it And I thought the battle was over.”””. The Archbishop continued “”” As we were about to commence the process of digging the grave, another instruction came that the Igwe of Ozubulu said that no burial should take place not to talk of digging a grave.
So all of us including the first son the other Bishops and some members of the Community headed for the Igwe’s Palace. On getting there we were told that the Igwe was not around. After waiting for over two hours, a message came that the Igwe said I should come back the following day. Meanwhile, the corpse remained unburied He now directed his PA to accompany us to the venue and give orders for the burial to commence.
On getting to the house, another story emerged that the PG said that the burial cannot take place. I was given the PGs number to speak with him. I called him to find out what the matter is again and he said he is attending another burial ceremony somewhere. That is how they dribbled us from 9:00am till 6:00pm on that fateful Friday. We had no choice than to leave without putting the man in the grave. In my over 50 years as a Minister of the Gospel,I have never seen a thing like this. It’s sad that two Archbishops and three Bishops would go and see the Igwe of Ozubulu and he would refuse to grant them audience.
“On his appeal, he appealed to the Anambra State Government to;”” quickly step into the matter, especially the Governor and Commissioner for Women Affairs because since that day the Widow has been subjected to a most gruelling traumatic experience.”””