A fresh wave of political tension has erupted in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State following a formal pre-action notice issued to the impeached Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Belle Kingsley Chigozie, over allegations of defamation against the Councillor representing Azumini Ward, Hon. Ekeke Bright Chinaza.
The notice, signed by Ikechukwu D. Maduike Esq., on behalf of Hon. Ekeke, demands a full retraction, public apology, compensation, and withdrawal of what the councillor describes as “false, malicious, defamatory and widely circulated publications” allegedly authored or sponsored by Hon. Belle.
According to the petition, the disputed publications circulated across mainstream media, social media platforms, and included in a petition to the Nigeria Police Force, portrayed Hon. Ekeke as violent, corrupt, criminally inclined, and politically disloyal. The councillor argues that the allegations have subjected him to public ridicule, hatred, and potential unlawful arrest.
The legal notice outlines what it describes as the true account of events on 25 November 2025, during a plenary session where the presentation and passage of the Ukwa East LGA budget was listed as part of the day’s proceedings.
The statement alleges that Hon. Belle Kingsley Chigozie, presiding as Leader of Council, unilaterally declared the budget passed without following mandatory legislative procedures such as first reading, debate, or committee review.
Hon. Ekeke and four other councillors reportedly objected, insisting on due process. Following resistance, the budget was eventually read, debated, and forwarded to the appropriate committee.
The petition further claims that after the budget process, Hon. Belle abruptly adjourned sitting “by the powers vested in him,” contrary to parliamentary rules requiring a motion, seconding, and majority approval. When members objected, a scuffle allegedly ensued between the Leader of Council, Majority Leader, Clerk, and other councillors. In the process, a fragment of the Mace reportedly broke off, although Hon. Ekeke insists he did not engage in any violence and merely picked up the fallen Mace to safeguard it.
Hon. Belle is accused of circulating a series of damaging allegations, including claims that:
1. Hon. Ekeke struck the Majority Leader with the Mace, causing injury
2. He demanded N1 million per councillor and 10% of all projects before passing the budget
3. He entered the chamber armed with weapons including a gun, axe and machete
4. He physically assaulted the Clerk, resulting in injuries
5. He destroyed public property
6. He works with opposition APC figures, including Chris Nkwonta
7. He fled with the Mace after bribing security personnel
8. He holds secret meetings to destabilize the LGA administration
9. He has been destroying state government projects
10. He has been “suspended” by the Council Leader
The petition describes these claims as “baseless, malicious, and defamatory,” adding that the involvement of the DSS in the allegations is “false and unfortunate.”
The councillor is demanding the following within 72 hours:
1. Immediate and unconditional public retraction of all defamatory statements
2. A written public apology published on all platforms where the allegations were shared
3. Payment of ₦5 million compensation for emotional and psychological trauma
4. Withdrawal of petitions submitted to the Nigeria Police Force and other authorities
Failure to comply, the legal notice warns, will result in the initiation of a full defamation suit seeking substantial damages, alongside civil and criminal actions.
The development marks a new escalation in internal political tensions at the Ukwa East Legislative Council, raising concerns over stability, legislative harmony, and the integrity of local governance.
Efforts to reach Hon. Belle Kingsley Chigozie for comments were unsuccessful as at press time.
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