BY AWELE OGBOGU
An Ezi indigene in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State, Mr. Benjamin Onyema, based in the United States of America (USA), has alleged that the President-General of the community, Mr. Eric Onyejose defamed his character and questioned his legitimate identity, thereby breaching his fundamental human rights.
In a “Statement of Issues” at the Delta State Multidoor Courthouse in Asaba, made available to The Pointer, Onyema stated that rumours of his identity has been circulating in the past, which led him to seek judicial clarification in the Customary Court, but the matter is still ongoing, with no verdict rendered. He alleged that the “community has been silent about it and was unable to defend the culture they instituted”.
In the defamation of character suit brought against Onyejose, Onyema claimed that the respondent publicly discriminated against him, by saying on a Whatsapp platform that he is not an indigenes of Ezi. “On September 18, 2025, some youths approached me with concerns regarding an empowerment fund allegedly allocated to Ward 10. They expressed uncertainty about the funds, who benefited and who did not.
“Additionally, they complained that the PG, Mr. Onyejose, had been visiting certain wood sellers to collect taxes without due process or proper accountability.”
“I made a voice note in the Ezi Youth Development Union WhatsApp group, properly introducing myself and seeking clarification on the matter. To my utmost shock, the response from the PG was derogatory and discriminatory. According to him, I’m not from Ezi, he does not know who my father is nor the family I come from and that only legitimate sons and daughters of Ezi Kingdom are entitled to such explanations.”
In response, Onyejose told The Pointer that the allegations are false. “I only said I would go home to report to his elders because he made disparaging remarks about me on the Whatsapp group. I was told by somebody that Onyema wrote them a letter to denounce being an indigene of Ezi. I’m also aware that he took his mother to court, that his real father is from the East and I know a certain Igbo man has been presenting himself as his father”. He added that “the local government area was in charge of the empowerment programme while the wood buyer agreed to support our road maintenance and it was not a tax”, he said.
However, Onyema said his actions have “left me traumatized, devalued and subjected to public ridicule. It was made in a public forum and amounts to ridicule, ostracization and an attempt to deny me my constitutional right to freedom of expression and association.” He therefore prayed “this Honourable Court to hold the respondent liable for defamation of character, order him to tender a public apology, both in writing and verbally, to be published in a widely accessible medium and award damages to cover my legal fees and to serve as a deterrent to others who may engage in such conduct.”
He urged the court to “expedite hearing on this matter in order to preserve my dignity and restore my standing in the community.”
