A Panel Of Seven Traditional Chiefs Of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, In A Meeting Presided Over By The Peregbolu Of Gbaramatu Kingdom Upheld The Suspension Of Opuede Federated Community Chairman, Mackson Ode And Vice Chairman, Patrick Toruwei -

By Ebiowei Gabriel

A PANEL OF SEVEN TRADITIONAL CHIEFS OF GBARAMATU TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, IN A MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH NOVEMBER 2025, PRESIDED OVER BY THE PEREGBOLU OF GBARAMATU KINGDOM UPHELD THE SUSPENSION OF OPUEDE FEDERATED COMMUNITY CHAIRMAN AND THE VICE CHAIRMAN

The suspension meted out on the chairman and vice chairman of Opuede Federated Community, Mr Mackson Ode and Mr Patrick Turowei, was today upheld in a meeting Convened by the Pere Gbolu of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief P.T Heavens today the 11th day of November 2025. It would be recalled that in a general meeting held in Opuede Federated Community on the 24th October 2025, the community handed down an eight months suspension to the embattled Chairman and Vice chairman, over gross financial misappropriation, failure to provide documents relevant to the re- acquisition of land by the Nigeria Gas Company, inability to hold a general meeting for close to two years.

A fact finding committee was set up to look into the veracity of the claims made by the suspended chairman. The six member committee headed by Pst Fred Faraju, which has a period of three months to submit its report, was yet to do so, when the media space was agog with disturbing publications from various groups, tagging the process leading to the suspension as flawed.

In the heat of the claims and counter claims, the matter was reported to the Palace, to look into the issues with an aim of resolving the war of words. To this end a high power delegation from the Palace was sent to resolve the already messy situation. This delegation was lead by the Pere Gbolu of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief P.T Heavens. Others are Chief Willington Bobo, Chief Daniel Okpele, Chief Isaiah Ukolor, Chief Friday Bobo, Chief Wellington Udubor and Tuesday Pori. The delegation asked and heard, from Chief Williams Tortor, who in this time was the complainant. Speaking, he narrated all that transpired in a previous meeting held of the 17th of October 2025, which gave birth to the subsequent general meeting of the 24th October 2025, where the decision to unanimously suspend the Chairman and the vice chairman were reached.

Whereas the delegation from the Palace listened with rapt attention when Chief Williams Tortor spoke, till he was done. Having mentioned the following issues: inability of the suspended chairman to provide the Power of Attorney issued to the valuer, discrepancies in the figures he mentioned as monies received, the alleged use of the community land for his personal farming venture and the smear campaign the embattled chairman has subjected his name. It was then the turn of the suspended chairman to give his own narrative. Chief P.T Heavens, however guided the suspended chairman on the method to adopt in his approach. He informed the embattled chairman, that he could either ask direct questions to the complainant or go on with his narration.

Speaking the embattled chairman opted not to ask questions, rather he choose to give his own version of all that has transpired. On the land reacquisition, he made it clear, that it was just a single power of attorney he presented to the company, on behalf of all the other sub communities of Opuede. He also mentioned that the total money paid to his account by NGC was ₦20.9m. However what was left is ₦15m. While he pleaded for the accusation leveled against Chief Williams Tortor, on the sale of the community generator and water tank, calling these unsubstantiated claims, he owned up to the fact that the farms he initiated in Opuede Federated Community belongs to him.

After an extensive question and answer session at the instance of the Pere Gbolu, the congregation was asked to take a leave for few minutes to allow the Council of Chiefs, reach a decision. Chief Moni Ode, however expressed dissatisfaction with the presentation of Mr Mackson Ode, telling the Palace delegation that some of the words spoken by the suspended chairman were reaching him for the first time. Saying, it rather unfortunate.

VERDICT:

The Council of Chiefs after listening to the parties, made the following decisions:

1. The eight months suspension earlier meted out on the chairman and vice chairman by the community, was upheld.

2. A period from now till the 20th December 2025, was given to the embattled chairman to make available to the council of chiefs, all and every document necessary to exonerate him from the accusations. These includes, the Power of Attorney as well as Cheques for payments received.

3. A detailed account of the ₦5.9m expended already and a refund of the money left, which is ₦15m.

4. The Council of Chiefs instructed that the suspended chairman should as a matter of necessity makes peace with the community at large. This include all Opuede Federated Community sons and daughters, those in the urban and rural.

Only after these had been met, the decision to terminate the suspension or not would be reached. The council of chiefs, however forbade the suspended chairman and the vice chairman from attending any function in the capacity as representative of Opuede Federated Community, till the suspension is lifted. Doing the opposite, would attract severe sanctions from the Kingdom.