Debe not our family member, Lotanna Ojukwu tells court

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

LAGOS — The disagreements over N500 million property left behind by late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has taken another turn as Lotanna Ojukwu told a Federal High Court in Lagos, that Chief Debe Ojukwu was never a grandson to Sir Lious Ojukwu.

Latonna, in a 22 paragraph affidavit, countered the prayers of Chief Debe Odimegwu Ojukwu, the purported first son of late Ojukwu, who is seeking the leave of court to enforce his fundamental human rights.

Ojukwu Jnr., his late father, Ojukwu and Bianca

“That the applicant to the best of my knowledge as well as to the Ojukwu family is not and has never been a grandchild of the  late Sir L.P.O Ojukwu,” Latonna said, adding that all the respondents did know him as the son of Emeka Ojukwu.

Debe had sued OTL asking the court to enforce his fundamental human rights.

Joined in the suit are: Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna, Bianca Ojukwu, Patricia Ojukwu, Mrs. Margaret Mogbo (nee Ojukwu), Inspector General of Police, former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State; Ibrahim Muktar and Mike Okoli, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anambra State.

Debe had insisted that he is a bona fide member of Ojukwu family, born to Emeka Ojukwu of Umudim Nnewi, Anambra State and his wife Margaret in August 3, 1956. He averred that he was having a flourishing career in the Nigerian Police force when his service was suddenly truncated at the instance of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents who came begging him to manage OTL on their behalf even though they did not contribute anything to his upbringing.

Among other things, Debe claimed that all the children and grand children of the founder of the first respondent had enjoyed full care, attention, nurture and qualitative education at the expense of the estate as stipulated by the said founder, late Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, but were denied him by the respondents till date.

But Lotanna in response denied the allegations and described the application as misconceived and replete with falsehood, adding that the whole Ojukwu family is not aware of any Margaret who had ever been the wife of the late Emeka Ojukwu.

The matter is before Justice Grace Onyeabor.