2027 Imo State NULGE Presidency Hopeful: Ekeanyanwu Accuses Sokom, Obinatu of Plot to Frustrate His Career,
Demands Justice
By Anselem Anokwute
A 2027 National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) presidential aspirant in Imo State, Comrade Uzoma Ekeanyanwu, has accused the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi, popularly known as Sokom, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu, of allegedly working through the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to frustrate his career in the state civil service.
Ekeanyanwu, who made the allegation after securing his release from the Magistrate Court 1, Owerri, last Friday, alleged that he was suspended and subsequently dismissed from the service without being given adequate opportunity to defend himself.
The NULGE aspirant, who reportedly spent 18 days in police detention before his release, said the matter stemmed from allegations of forgery, impersonation and alteration of government documents.
According to him, the development was connected with his activities as a market master while serving in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, despite having subsequently been posted to other local government areas.
He alleged that a petition was written against him, following which the Local Government Service Commission issued him a suspension order dated July 22, 2026, and subsequently a dismissal letter dated July 24, 2026.
Ekeanyanwu questioned the circumstances surrounding what he described as the speed with which the disciplinary process was concluded, alleging that he was not given sufficient opportunity to appear before the commission or respond to the allegations before the dismissal was issued.
He further alleged that the matter was subsequently referred to the police, leading to his arrest and detention for 18 days.
Speaking on his experience, the NULGE aspirant and a father said his prolonged detention had subjected his immediate family to emotional and psychological trauma, adding that his release by the Magistrate Court had given him an opportunity to seek redress.
He appealed to members of NULGE and other stakeholders in the local government system to come to his aid and support efforts to restore his civil service career, insisting that due process ought to be followed in disciplinary matters involving public servants.
Ekeanyanwu also maintained that the dispute surrounding the market at Egbeada Ubomiri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area had already been resolved through the courts.
He said the matter was decided by the State High Court sitting at Nwaorieubi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, in Suit No. HMI/1/2025, stressing that the market was no longer subject to any pending litigation or controversy.
According to him, the legal representation by Barr. Ikechukwu Nwaopara and his law firm contributed to the resolution of the matter, which he said brought relief to the community and shop owners.
Ekeanyanwu therefore appealed to the relevant authorities to review the circumstances surrounding his suspension and dismissal, insisting that he should be given an opportunity to defend himself in accordance with established civil service procedures.
The allegations against the officials could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report, while the affected officials and the Local Government Service Commission had not publicly responded to the claims.
Barr. Paul Obinatu is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Imo State, while Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi is the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment couldn’t respond to the allegations as their number was not reached at the time of filling the report despite numerous efforts to reach them for response.