By Okafor Okwuchukwu
The sudden disappearance of Mr. Benjamin Ezenma, popularly known as, "Big Ben" since 12th of November, 2024, has continued to generate controversy. Big Ben is the Vice President of Dubai Estate, a popular edifice in Awka, Anambra State capital. As security men, including the Directorate of State Services (DSS) continued with investigation to unravel circumstances surrounding this, people are busy pointing accusing fingers here and there.
This also led to arrest of some notable natives of Awka, the capital of Anambra State. As if that was not enough, some out of whatever reason best known to them, are pointing accusing fingers on Awka born philanthropist and humanist, Ọzọ Jeff Nweke.
Nweke, who is Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mango and Properties Limited, Awka, has empowered many natives and non-indigenes of the capital city. He has also sponsored security summit, provided to the less privileged, made both youth and women to become employers of Labour, aside other many offers aimed at assisting the government to create jobs and nib insecurity to the bud.
So, why are people pointing accusing fingers at such a generous man? His only known offence for now is that on November 12, 2024 same day Big Ben later disappeared, he had kept a business appointment with him at the company's corporate headquarters located adjacent a commercial bank along Chief S. M. Okeke street, Awka.
After his meeting with Ozo Nweke, Big Ben had reportedly returned safely to his hotel room located opposite Udoka Housing Estate's main gate, Awka, along the popular Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Other reports equally showed that Big Ben had other engagements with other persons same date. A viral statement on social media platforms accredited to his wife, showed that at 6.18pm he attended another meeting appointment with "loco". Who was this Loco that Big Ben attended meeting appointment with and had not been seen till date?
As the world expect the law enforcement agents to unravel identity and whereabouts of this mysterious man or woman, testimonies from Awka, the country-home of Ọzọ Jeff Nweke had shown that he was a respected man who should rather be celebrated than dragged to mud with unnecessary allegations.
Mr Mike Obuekwe, an indigenes of Awka, who expressed worry over the allegations leveled against their illustrious son, said they would not allow anyone to use frame up to dent their brother's image all because he is vocal and against plans by unscrupulous elements to grab Ezinano Community land.
Others such as Mrs Evelyn Nwoka and Mr Uche Amoka described Ozo Jeff Nweke as their "a great philanthropist" who is too busy with providing for the needs, including providing cares for the widows and championing the course for the youth empowerment, crimes detention and mitigation.
Other eminent Ezinano people, especially professionals urged the security operatives to carry out a diligent investigations into the allegations against Ozo Jeff Nweke in connection with Big Ben's kidnap case to avoid any "miscarriage of justice ".
What Awka indigenes are saying may not be out of place given that at about 6pm on Sunday, 9th February, 2025, Mrs Odinankpa Nene Regina was also "kidnapped" from her home at Irunebo village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka local Government Area of Anambra state. She is the mother of the 27-year-old Mr. Odinankpa Cornel Kachukwu, who is the second-in-command to the missing Big Ben.
Big Ben is also Director of GSS Security Company and Vice-chairman of Dubai Estate, Awka. Since last December after Big Ben got missing, Kachukwu and the Chairman of Dubai Estate, Mr. Chukwudi has been allegedly working together to probably change certain documents relating to the business.
Following the shocking discovery, the security operatives have decided to turn their searchlight on what happened to Big Ben to his co-business management team. But when he could not be found, the security operatives were said to have decided to use his mother as a bait to smoke him out. As a result, they decided to use the Sunday, 9th February alleged kidnap of his mother to perfect their plans.
It was learnt that the security operatives disguised as kidnapers when they stormed Kachukwu's Irunebo village home at 6pm, and, picked his mother Nene Regina to an unknown place. This made Kachukwu 's family member to think that their mum was whisked away until the supposed abductors contacted him on phone at about 8pm. They told him to come and pick his mother at a certain location.
But Kachukwu reportedly contacted Nimo police station in company of some of his uncles and they were detailed two unarmed policemen on mufti while heading to the location they were told to come and 'pick' the woman. On arrival to where his mother was being kept, the security operatives were said to have freed Kachukwu's mother and rather arrested him. At first, his family members thought he was exchanged for his mother by his suspected mother's kidnappers, however, they were later informed that he was under the custody of the security operatives.
Kachukwu's arrest probably contributed to the reason behind the sudden adjournment of the scheduled arraignment of Ozo Nweke and two others in a High Court of Anambra state, sitting in Awka on Tuesday, February 11 in connection with Big Ben's missing case. The latest development was hailed by many, including an activist, who also urged the security to look beyond hounding Ọzọ Jeff Nweke so as to arrest the main persons responsible and persecute them accordingly.
It was learnt that the circumstances leading to Kachukwu's arrest gave a fresh insight into the actual cause of Big Ben's travail. The prosecution therefore wants to properly investigate the case so that the real suspects would be charged to Court.