Trouble brews over Ekene Dili Chukwu’s estate
By DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Barely two years after the demise of Nnewi-born business magnate, Chief Augustine Ilodibe, founder and, until his death, chief executive officer of Ekene Dili Chukwu Nigeria Limited, some of his children are now at daggers-drawn over the management of his business empire, a situation that has led to litigations and alleged violence.





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According to Odera, the first son by the third wife of late Chief Ilodibe, who led Daily Sun into the alleged happenings within the family, all is not well over the sharing of the vast estate left behind by the colossal transport magnate.

Odera who has sent an SOS message to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, insists that Ekene, the first son by the second wife, is allegedly intimidating directors of Ekene Dili Chukwu companies with force, including vigilantes and the police (a situation which the police authorities insist they have yet to authenticate), even as he is said to be claiming that it is he who is the chairman of the companies. Odera is also alleging that his half brother is bent on running the companies to the exclusion of others.

Odera told Daily Sun that when his father was alive, he made all his children directors and shareholders of all his companies, including some others who are not members of the nuclear family.

Although he admitted that his late father gave the powers to Ekene to take over the chairmanship of the companies after his death, Odera said his father gave the condition that the chairman can be changed if he is not capable of running the companies.

Even as he remains silent on whether or not the new chairman has in any way proven himself to be incapable of running the company, Odera said: “The problem now is that the first son of the second wife uses …(everything at his disposal)… to intimidate other directors of the companies. He wants to run the companies alone, claiming that he is the first son and the heir, therefore, no other person is meant to be involved in running the affairs of the companies.”

Odera lamented that a half brother of his, a few days ago, invited policemen from the State CID, Awka who allegedly invaded the companies and sacked the workers at the corporate headquarters of Ekene Dilichukwu Nigeria Limited at Awada, Obosi shooting sporadically in the air. He said the invading forces eventually sealed off Ekene subsidiary companies there, including Ekene Dilichukwu Steel Structures Limited, Ekene Dilichukwu Motors Limited and United Modern Insurance Brokers Limited.

He alleged that many workers at these companies were beaten up by the security agents who later restricted entrance, even of the directors, into the companies’ premises.

Odera further alleged that the security agents extended their action to Ekene Dilichukwu motor parts business within Onitsha metropolis, disrupting business at the parks as passengers ran helter skelter.

Contentious will

Asked what happens to the will his late father made before his death, since the old man did not die inestate, or why he seems to be the only one raising dust over an issue the family appears to be fairly united about, Odera said that the will is being contested by other members of the family, adding that the issue concerning the will has nothing to do with the companies, since, according to him, his father in his life time directed how the companies should be run.

Odera however said that the aggrieved directors will head for court soon over the issue of the alleged intimidation and threat.

He told Daily Sun that several attempts have been made to call meetings by the stakeholders to resolve the matter, adding that the meetings have always been disrupted by thugs and security agents. “The records are there,” he volunteered.

When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Amusa Bello said he is aware of the incident but that the State CID, Awka is handling the matter.

But unlike Odera, not too many of the late prominent businessman’s children is ready to go public with whatever difference that there might exist. When contacted, one of the elder daughters of the late magnate insisted that there was no problem that was not being handled within the family. She insisted: “My brother, there is nothing to go to press with on this matter yet. I would be lying to you if I say everyone is happy with everything so far, but we are still talking and sorting out the issues. I don’t think anybody wants to disinherit anybody”.

Pressed further for comments he said: “when and if the time comes to talk, I promise you, we will talk. As for now, no cause for alarm.”



http://odili.net/news/source/2009/may/27/503.html

Oh,i never knew Chief Ilodibe don kpafuka.