APC Digital Force counters Soludo’s aide on alleged N1 billion land fraud against Ukachukwu

APC Digital Force counters Soludo’s aide on alleged N1 billion land fraud against Ukachukwu

By Steve Oko

A group known as the APC Digital Force, has dismissed as a cheap blackmail, the recent threat by Mazi Ejimofor Opara, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State,  to expose an alleged “₦1 billion land fraud” involving the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Evang. Nicholas Ukachukwu.

The group in a statement by its Team Lead, Pharm. Ikeagwuonu Klinsmann, wondered why the Governor’s Aide preferred to resort to media trial instead of reporting the APC governorship flag bearer to the anti-graft agencies or drag him to court if indeed he had a valid case against him.

While noting that Ukachukwu’s lawyers reserved the right to seek legal redress in court, the APC group which urged members of the public to discountenance the allegation, said it was imperative for it to clear the air concerning “the said N1 billion fraudulent land deal.”

It explained that the said deal was purely a genuine transaction between two individuals, adding that the deal was guided by unambiguous contractual agreements which did not require Soludo’s Aide’s unsolicited mediation.

Accusing the Governor’s Aide of making a political capital out of a genuine transaction, the APC group declared that no amount of cheap blackmail would deter or distract Evang. Ukachukwu from pursuing his governorship ambition.

 The statement read:”Our attention has been drawn to recent social media publications and videos circulated by Mazi Ejimofor Opara, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Charles Soludo, purporting to expose an alleged “₦1 billion land fraud” involving Evang. Nicholas Ukachukwu. These false narratives, amplified by government-sponsored online actors, are nothing but a calculated smear campaign aimed at embarrassing a respected statesman, businessman, and philanthropist.

“As an organization committed to truth and justice, the APC Digital Force, Anambra State, feels compelled to put the records straight, not for the benefit of Mazi Opara and his paymasters — whose politics of smear is already well known to Ndi Anambra — but for the unsuspecting public, both in Nigeria and abroad, who may be misled by this campaign of calumny.

“First, let us be clear: the land transaction in question was governed by a duly signed Installment Payment Agreement between Evang. Ukachukwu (Vendor) and Zoe New Dawn Nigeria Ltd, chaired by Chief Stephen Achema Akpa (Purchaser), executed on 11th August, 2022, covering Plots 7 and 8, Cadastral Zone E29, Lugbe East, Abuja, valued at ₦6 billion.

“Clause 2 of the agreement clearly provided for staggered payment: an initial deposit of ₦1.75 billion, followed by structured installments to complete the purchase price. But Mr Stephen Akpa could not come up with this initial deposit and paid only ₦850 million and requested access to the plots without completing the payment but the person that brought him cautioned that he must not be allowed access to the plots until he finished paying the agreed deposit otherwise he will start selling the property without completing this payment.

“In line with Clauses 10–12 of the agreement, such default empowered the Vendor to terminate the transaction and withhold release of title documents until full payment was made. It also stipulated that any refund of deposits would only become due if and when the Vendor successfully resells the property to another buyer.

“Therefore, contrary to the falsehood being peddled, there was no fraud. There was simply a purchaser who defaulted on his obligations under a valid agreement. By the same contract, he cannot lawfully demand immediate refund, as the Vendor has not yet resold the property. This is a straightforward commercial arrangement, not a criminal matter.

“Indeed, the Purchaser was fortunate that the contract provided for a conditional refund upon resale. Many will recall that when GSM licenses were first auctioned in Nigeria, some companies that paid deposits but failed to complete their obligations lost their deposits entirely. Such is the standard practice in serious commercial transactions.

“Why then has Chief Achema resorted to harassment, including staging a viral video at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, instead of seeking redress in court or through arbitration as provided by law?

“The answer is simple: having failed in his contractual obligations, he is now being used by political actors in Anambra to malign Evang. Ukachukwu. Our reliable information confirms that he recently met with members of the Soludo/APGA team in Abuja, after which this social media campaign began in earnest.

“Ordinarily, if these lies were confined to the APGA Interactive Forum on Facebook, there would be no need for response, as Ndi Anambra know Governor Soludo’s style of politics — more invested in blackmailing opponents than presenting achievements. But because these falsehoods are being circulated on global platforms, we must correct the record for the wider public.

“We also note that defamation of character is not free speech but a criminal offense. Evang. Ukachukwu’s legal team reserves the right to pursue appropriate remedies against Mazi Opara and his collaborators.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Evang. Nicholas Ukachukwu has built his reputation over decades as a transparent businessman, philanthropist, and political leader. He has nothing to hide.

” He insisted on the installment plan precisely because he had been warned of the Purchaser’s  tendencies”.

According to the statement, the intention was to avoid a situation where the purchaser pays deposits only to resell to unsuspecting third parties, leaving vendors and innocent buyers in legal entanglements.

“That prudence is now being twisted into false accusations”, the statement said.

Continuing it asked: if the Purchaser truly had a case, why not approach the police, the EFCC, or the courts? Why instead resort to stalking and embarrassing a respected leader in public spaces? Why take petitions to social media instead of lawful authorities? Clearly, this is less about business and more about politics.”

The statement, therefore, urged members of the public to completely disregard the claims which it dismissed as malicious.

“We therefore call on Ndi Anambra, Nigerians, and the international community to disregard these malicious fabrications. Evang. Ukachukwu remains a man of proven integrity whose record in business and public life speaks for itself.

“No amount of blackmail will deter him from his vision to serve Anambra and contribute to the progress of our people.”