Clan Head of Ukwutia Abi, Sylvester Olenye, Faces Banishment from Utugwang Land Over Assassination Plot Confession
By Eneji Thompson – Obudu
The people of Utugwang were left in astonishment as a startling revelation unfolded in their midst, implicating Chief Sylvester Okwor Olenye, the Clan Head of Ukwutia Abi, in a plot to eliminate two of his subjects over a land dispute.
The shocking confession was made in the compound of Hon. Gabriel Eliom Ushie, a former Vice Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area and a respected political leader of Utugwang North Ward.
The event, which gathered a significant number of traditional rulers, elders, and community leaders, saw the presence of HRH UTI Enieme Abanyam, the Clan Head of Nkirira and Chairman of the Utugwang Traditional Rulers Council; HRH UTI Moses Odikpo, the Clan Head of Ukwortung and HRH UTI Oko Ojang, the Clan Head Designate of Ukorogung.
Others are; HRH UTI Akpa Ajobi, the Clan Head Designate of Ngbenege; and Elder PJ Ekunke, the Chairman of the Utugwang Elders and Security Council. Also present were various elders, village heads, Utugwang youths, and women, all eager to witness the proceedings.
The confessionist, a witness privy to the alleged plot, narrated how he received information from a friend during a burial ceremony. According to his testimony, Chief Olenye had, in 2020, hired assassins to eliminate Mr. James Alicha Okpamu and Elder Alekwu Nkpa.
The former had reportedly resisted Chief Olenye’s attempts to claim a piece of farmland that his father had cultivated, while the latter consistently opposed his maneuvers regarding the contentious land issue.
The witness further disclosed that upon confronting Chief Olenye about the claims, the embattled chief allegedly admitted to the plot, affirming that he had indeed contracted assassins to silence the two individuals. This revelation sent shockwaves through the assembly, as the gravity of the allegations was unprecedented in Utugwang land.
As the allegations were laid bare, all eyes turned to suspect for his defense. However, his attempts to refute the claims fell flat as he struggled to provide coherent responses to the questions posed to him. His failure to convincingly deny the accusations further cemented the belief that he was indeed guilty of the heinous act.
The elders and chiefs, deeply disturbed by the implications of the accusations, deliberated on the matter extensively, and given the severity of the crime, resolved to impose stringent sanctions on the accused to serve as a deterrent to others if found guilty.
Following a thorough review of the testimony and his inability to exonerate himself, the traditional leaders and elders found him guilty. As a consequence, he was fined and mandated to make reparations for the appeasement of the land. He was given a deadline of March 7, 2025, to fulfill the stipulated penalties. Failure to comply would result in his dethronement and subsequent banishment from Utugwang land.
The decision marks a significant moment in the history of Utugwang, reaffirming the community’s firm stance against acts of violence and land disputes that threaten the peace and unity of its people.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes remain on Chief Olenye to see whether he will adhere to the prescribed sanctions or face the ultimate consequence of being ostracized from the land he once governed.
