JUST as she celebrated her birthday few days ago, the widow of the late Biafran warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and ex- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs, as well as ex-ambassador to Ghana and Spain, Lady Bianca Ojukwu, is in her best moments.
Her daughter, Chineme Ojukwu, graduated in flying colours from the University of Brighton in England.
Mrs. Caroline Onoh, wife of a former Governor of old Anambra State, late Chief Christian Onoh, is dead.
She died in Enugu on Tuesday.
She was 81.
The deceased was the mother of ex-Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu.
The second son of the late former governor, Dr. Ken Onoh, confirmed his mother’s death in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Onoh, who is also a Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor, said his mother died on Tuesday at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) after a brief illness.
The widow of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, has opposed an application by her husband’s son, seeking to be joined as a defendant in a suit she filed against the family over property.
Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Jr., Ojukwu’s second child, filed the application dated May 24, before Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, seeking to be joined alongside Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others.
Bianca had on behalf of her two under-aged children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants), sued Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others over an alleged threat by the family to eject them from the company’s properties in Lagos.
OTL was established by the late Biafran leader’s father, Sir Louis Ojukwu.
In his application, Ojukwu Jr. prayed the court to join him on the grounds that he is a director in OTL and by virtue of his position has responsibility to look after the interest of the other children of his late father.
He averred that the claimants in the suit are the last two of the eight children of his late father and they are represented by their mother who was the last of the six wives of his late father.
The son of the late Biafran warlord prayed the court to join him as defendant in the “best interest of justice.”
He added that any decision in respect of the claims of Bianca’s two children in the suit so far as it relates to his father’s interest in OTL “will affect me as the current head of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu’s family.”
However, in a 12-paragraph counter affidavit, Bianca’s children opposed their elder brother’s application.
They averred that they have no claim or relief whatsoever against him in the suit and that that the suit can be duly and properly determined without their elder brother as a defendant.
The claimant said the application was only a ploy to delay and scuttle the hearing and determination of the suit.
Other defendants in the suit are Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).
In their statement of claim, Bianca, and her two children are praying the court to declare that the alleged threat of forcible ejection from 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, by the defendants as illegal.
They are asking the court for a declaration that her children are entitled to possess the following property: No. 13 Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi (now known as No. 13 Ojora Road; No. 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 30 McPherson Avenue, Ikoyi.
According to them, the properties were under the possession of the late Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, the father of the claimants, from the time the properties were released from government acquisition till date.
The claimants stated that throughout the period their father was fought to retrieve the properties from the government, the second to seventh defendants “never played any role in the struggle nor contributed financially or otherwise to the realisation of the struggle.”
Justice Lawal will hear the argument for the application on September 14.
Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, on Tuesday granted the prayer of the widow of late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, to reopen her evidence-in-chief in a suit filed against her husband’s family.
Bianca had on behalf of her two under-aged children – Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants) dragged Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others before the court over alleged moves by the family to eject them (the children) from the company’s property located in Lagos.
OTL was established by the late Biafran leader’s father, Sir Louis Ojukwu.
Other defendants in the suit are – Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr. Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).
Bianca, who had earlier testified before the court in the suit, made a U-turn and filed two separate applications seeking leave to amend her writ of summons, statement of claim and to reopen her evidence-in-chief.
None of the respondents in the suit opposed her applications.
An Igbosere High Court in Lagos will on April 26 hear a fresh application by Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of late Ikemba of Nnewi, Odumegwu Ojukwu, over alleged move by the family to eject her sons from the company’s properties located in Lagos.
Justice Abdulfattah Lawal on Monday fixed the new date for hearing of the fresh application for the amendment of the statement of claim in the suit.
The applicant filed the suit on behalf of her two children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu.
The defendants in the suit are Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs Massey Udegbe.
They are all said to be doing business under Messey Udegbe and Company.
Mrs. Ojukwu had, on behalf of her two children, who are the claimants, dragged Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others before the court over alleged move by the family to eject her sons from the company’s properties located in Lagos.
The widow of the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu Monday told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere that she is the only woman that was legally married to him.
Mrs. Ojukwu said this during her Evidence-in-Chief before Justice Abdulfattah Lawal, in the ongoing legal battle between her children and the deceased’s brothers over the family estate
She admitted that Ojukwu has eight children who include the claimants, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu, but that being the only one that was wedded by her late husband in court, church and according to traditional marriage rites, she is the only one that was legally married to him.
The former beauty queen admitted that neither she nor her children are shareholders or directors in Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL), one of the properties in the family estate.
Under Cross Examination Bianca told the court that the suit filed before the court is for the preservation of the rights of her children alone and not that of Ojukwu’s other children.
The witness further informed the court that some of the OTL property in question had been in the possession of her husband before his demise, adding that the rent of those properties were collected by him.
Mrs. Ojukwu had on behalf of her two under-aged children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants) dragged Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others before the High Court over an alleged move by the family to eject her sons from the company’s property located in Lagos.
She had asked the court to declare that her children are entitled to the possession and occupation of one of the property known as No. 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, until the harmonisation of the management and administration of the assets of the first defendant (OTL).
The defendants in the suit are; Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr Patrick Ojukwu, Arc Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).
In their statement of claim, Bianca, and her two children prayed the court to declare that the threat of forceful ejection from 29 Oyinkan Abayomi Street by the defendants is illegal.
She is also asking the court for a declaration that her children are entitled to possess the following property, namely: No. 13 Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi (now known as No. 13 Ojora Road); No. 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; No. 30 Gerard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and No. 30 McPherson Avenue, Ikoyi.
According to her, the properties were in the possession of the Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu – the father of the claimants – from the time the properties were released from government acquisition till date.
The claimants stated that throughout the period their father was struggling to retrieve the properties from the government, the second to seventh defendants “never played any role in the struggle nor contributed financially or otherwise to the realisation of the struggle.”
However, Justice Lawal adjourned the matter till today, for continuation of Cross Examination of Bianca.
Hearing on the suit against Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) and seven others before a Lagos High Court, Igbosere, was on Monday stalled, following the unavailability of the claimant, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu.
Bianca, the widow of late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, had on behalf of her two under-aged children – Afamefuna and Nwachukwu – filed the suit at the court.
In the suit, the Nigerian ambassador to Spain, prayed the court to declare as illegal, the threat of forceful eviction from 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, issued by the defendants.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Abdulfattah Lawal on Monday, the matter could not go on because Bianca was said to be in a meeting with a United Nations representative.
Counsel to the defendants, George Uwechue (SAN) informed the court of a letter signed by Bianca’s lawyer, Chioma Okoro, stating that she will not be in court because of a meeting with the UN World Tourism Organisation Secretary General, Dr. Taleb Rafai scheduled for November 9.
Although the court said it did not receive the letter, the trial judge gave Bianca benefit of doubt and adjourned till December 11 for trial.
Bianca had urged the court to declare that her children are entitled to possession of the property pending the harmonisation of the management and administration of assets of the first defendant (OTL).
Other defendants in the suit are – Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu, Dr Patrick Ojukwu, Edward Ojukwu, Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company).
•Ex-governor replies Bianca Ojukwu
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi decried yesterday the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a derailed party.
He was reacting to the expression of disappointment by Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafran warlord, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu-Ojokwu, following his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ex-governor, who noted that Mrs. Ojukwu’s comment must be taken seriously, because she is not a frivolous person, however, said APGA has turned to an empty shell without an inner core of shared values.
Reassuring his followers of his commitment to his cause and principles despite joining the PDP, Obi said he kept his promise to Ojukwu by finishing as an APGA governor and enthroning another APGA government.
He said: “Despite all overtures for me to leave APGA when I was the governor, I did not give in, but served out my term on APGA’s platform and handed over to an APGA governor.”
According to Obi, his reply to Bianca would be the last on his defection to enable him channel his time and energy with well-meaning Igbo for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the place of Ndigbo in the nation’s politics.
Referring to Ojukwu’s criticisms when he joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), instead of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe-led Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), Obi said he has moved out of a party he considers “derailed” to a place where his contributions towards proper representation of the Igbo “will have the level of impact that will make Ikemba rejoice in his grave.”
He said: “Of all those who have spoken, and who continue to speak on the issue of my leaving APGA, only Bianca spoke with sincerity…I want to have it on record that Bianca was right when she reported my exchange with Ikemba when he called and asked whether I would leave APGA, after the incident in Abia State.
“I wish to reiterate that I am still loyal to our great leader, in terms of what serves the interests of our people and the country. Everyone knows that APGA is not what it used to be.
“My assurance to our great leader did not imply that I would be loyal to a platform that some people have resolved to turn into an empty shell without an inner core of shared values. I remain faithful to those values and principles our great leader asked me to stand for and defend.”
Obi noted that he had seen enough violation of what APGA stood for, as such, “I cannot continue to stay in a place, which has departed from the original cause and where clearly I was not wanted.”
The former governor said Mrs. Ojukwu would later be in a position to judge the propriety or otherwise of recent developments in the party, adding that time would judge “our actions accordingly.”
A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Monday granted a request allowing Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL) to serve a writ of summons and other processes on the widow of late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, by pasting the notice at the gate of 29, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Justice Deborah Oluwayemi granted the claimant’s request, after she allowed OTL’s application for extension of expiration for the writ of summons dated May 13, 2013.
OTL had through a motion exparte brought by its lawyer, Ike Ubahakwe, prayed the court for extension of the writ of summons and for substituted service on Bianca .
The firm, which had dragged the Ojukwu family to court over ownership of Ojukwu Estate, claimed that it has faced difficulty in serving Bianca as a result of her current assignment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to. Spain.
According to Ubahakwe, the matter was previously before Justice Alogba but was transferred to Justice Oluwayemi during the 2013/2014 legal year posting of judges.
Every day in the life of Bianca Ojukwu portends a fresh adventure and a step up the nation’s socio-political ladder. This time around, the beautiful wife of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu, has been selected to step into the shoes her husband left behind as the national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
The faction of APGA recognised by INEC rose from a meeting a few days ago to hand over to her the mantle of leadership of the party her husband founded before his demise. Accepting the honour, Bianca made it clear that she was not stepping into the late Ikemba Nnewi’s shoes but would only try her best to position the party to fulfill the mission and aspiration of Ojukwu.
Bianca Ojukwu is one woman who has gone through many phases of life and has still maintained her identity. From the innocent winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria and Miss Africa pageants in 1988 to the first African to win Miss International the following year, Bianca etched her steps in the sands of time in beauty pageantry in Africa.
Then came the revelation in 1989 that she was dating the former Biafran leader and political associate of her father. Their controversial romance was a national talking point in the early 1990s.