By fabulous reports
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State is facing mounting pressure to address allegations of corruption and extortion at Upper Iweka in Onitsha. The Campaign for Democracy (CD) South East and the Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) have jointly called for the immediate arrest of Ejike Odife, who they claim is leading a corrupt extortion ring.
In a media briefing held in Onitsha on Thursday, the organizations accused Odife, the leader of the Anti-Urination initiative at Upper Iweka, of turning a government program designed to clean and clear refuse into a tool for illegal financial gain. Dede Uzor, Chairman of CD in the South East and Executive Director of HURIDE, stated that while the governor’s waste management policy initially received praise, it has been hijacked by criminal elements.
Uzor alleged that Odife, formerly associated with the now-defunct Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA), has exploited the program to extort money from citizens. According to the allegations, the group under Odife’s leadership collects N30,000 from each alleged violator, apprehending an average of 10 individuals per day. This has reportedly resulted in daily extortions totaling N3 million.
Uzor described Odife, also known as “NO MERCY,” as a notorious thug and emphasized the urgency of his arrest. He argued that Odife’s criminal activities pose a serious threat to the re-election prospects of Governor Soludo and called for immediate action to remove Odife from Upper Iweka.
The groups have urged the governor to take decisive steps to address the corruption and restore public trust in the anti-urination enforcement program. They stressed that tackling these issues is crucial for the governor’s political future and the overall integrity of the state’s administration
