Ebonyi State: Fmr Edda Council Chairman, Iduma, Banned for 7 Years, Fined N106m for Fueling Communal Cash
From Omaka OKOH, ABAKALIKI
The former All Progressives Congress candidate for Edda/Afikpo federal constituency in last year’s general election,
THE former chairman of Edda local government area in Ebonyi state, Eni Uduma, has been banned for seven years and fined the sum of N106m for fuelling communal clash in Ekoli community.
Iduma, the board chairman of Ebonyi State Fertilizer and Chemical Company, was banned at the weekend banned together with his brother, Chima Uduma, following what the community described as their involvement in a communal crisis in Ekoli, in which properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The community took the decision during a general Town Hall Assembly held at Eji Udo Eme Hall in Amueke village, Ekoli-Edda.
They added that the former council boss and his brother will also pay the sum of one hundred and six million naira (₦106 million), being the amount of the properties destroyed during the crisis.
Confirming the village resolution, the State Commissioner for Internal Security, Prince Etta Uka, who is also an indigene of Ekoli, said what his community did is in order, and added that the young man and his brother have been a problem to the community.
He advised Eni Uduma and his brother to stay away from the community for now, saying that the community is not happy with them.
Speaking, the traditional ruler of Ekoli-Edda, His Royal Majesty Eze Igwe John Igwe, said the meeting was a General Assembly, which is the highest decision-making body of the community, and the resolution was final and binding.
“For over 15 years, this community has known no peace, and we have narrowed the root cause to Eni Uduma and his brother. Today, the community has risen to say, enough is enough,” the monarch declared.
He added, “we want to restore dignity to our traditional institutions, which have been disrespected and desecrated by his actions. The unanimous decision is not just a punishment but a path to restoring peace and unity in our land.”
Also speaking, the President of Ekoli Band of Hope, Mr. Samuel Kalu, said the banishment was a response to the persistent unrest allegedly instigated by Eni Uduma and his younger brother, which resulted in widespread destruction, injuries, and looting in the community.
Kalu noted that the violence, which occurred between May and June 2025, left many homes, vehicles, and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
“The community, after assessing the damages, both material and human, placed the financial loss at over ₦106m. As a result, we have unanimously agreed that Eni Uduma must pay for the damages.
“However, even if he pays the amount, he is not permitted to return until after seven years,” he added.
Kalu also accused the former council chairman of consistently undermining traditional authorities and destabilising efforts by the state government to ensure peace in the area.
