The newly inaugurated President of Okonkon in Ohuhu, Architect Charles Iheoma, has raised the alarm over what he described as serious threats to his life.
Iheoma claimed that since his emergence as President of the Okonkon, he has been subjected to both physical and spiritual threats. He alleged that shortly after his inauguration on January 31 at Umuawa Alaocha, unidentified persons tied what he described as an “evil leaf” at his residence, a traditional sign believed to signify danger.
He further alleged that after the leaf was removed, he suddenly collapsed and became unconscious. According to him, he was later revived at a private hospital after being rejected by an earlier medical facility.
Architect Iheoma also claimed that upon returning to the village days later, his younger brother, the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Hon. Smart Iheoma, allegedly mobilised some individuals and demanded sacrificial items—an allegation that could not be independently confirmed. He said he declined the request and left for the town to address some issues, only to later discover that he was being trailed.
The Okonkon President, who is the eldest sibling of the Umuahia North Mayor, further alleged that his younger brother had earlier caused his arrest on January 29, 2026, and detained him at the Area Command in Umuahia. According to him, the arrest was aimed at preventing his inauguration as President of Okonkon on January 31, 2026.
He alleged that his arrest created the opportunity for unknown persons, allegedly operating under the cover of Ezumezu Okonkon Ohuhu, to gain entry into his house at night and, in his absence, deposit suspected diabolic items at the entrance to his living room.
Architect Iheoma also claimed that he later abandoned his vehicle in Umuahia township after discovering that he was being trailed by unknown persons, saying he feared for his life. He told journalists that since then, he has been receiving strange phone calls from unidentified individuals, threatening to deal with him for confronting the Mayor.
According to him, one of the callers identified himself as Akaraka Ibeku and warned him to stop the confrontation with his younger brother, claiming it was affecting their business interests.
Charles Iheoma said he has reported the matter involving the Akaraka Ibeku to the police, adding that the police confirmed there is no fresh complaint filed against him. He called on security agencies and the Abia State Government to intervene, insisting that his younger brother should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
However, investigations revealed that beyond the recent allegations, Architect Iheoma has a long-standing feud with Hon. Smart Iheoma, which predates the Abia local government elections. He is also accused by family members of converting the family house to other uses, despite the fact that their late father was said to be a devoted Christian.
Reacting to the allegations, Hon. Smart Iheoma denied being responsible for the arrest of his elder brother. He clarified that the police petition was submitted by all seven siblings over concerns about Architect Iheoma’s activities at the family house. He further disclosed that he has severed ties with his elder brother, stating that he no longer wishes to have anything to do with him.
It was gathered that prominent sons of Isingwu community have intervened in the dispute and are making efforts to reconcile the family. However, mutual distrust is said to persist among the parties, particularly between the eldest sibling, Charles Iheoma, and the younger brother, Smart Iheoma.
