Late Chukuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's Sons 'Allegedly' Fight Over Inheritance

Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

The crisis in the family of late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu deepened when the eldest son, Chief Slyvester Debe Odumegwu-Ojukwu was tactically banned from his father’s burial.

The shocking action was purportedly taken by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Junior, the second son of the diseased, Eze Igbo Gburugburu and his siblings as a result of politics of maternal cleavages and struggle over who gains prominence as rightful heir to Emeka Ojukwu Senior’s legacy.

Mourners and visitors to Umudim Nnewi where the former Head of State of the defunct Republic of Biafra was laid to rest on March 2, 2012, observed that activities involving the direct participation of Ojukwu’s immediate family were led by Emeka Ojukwu Jnr instead of Sylvester Debe, the eldest son.

Emeka Ojukwu Jnr led the family to welcome President Goodluck Jonathan and his entourage to Ojukwu’s compound in Nnewi. He also made a speech on behalf of the family and was all over the place ensuring that things went smoothly as planned. This seemingly usurpation of privileges caused some stir among Sylvester Debe’s sympathizers.

Siblings’ rivalry

The feud between Emeka Ojukwu Jnr and Sylvester Debe has been lingering for some years and has so far defiled every advice and efforts to assuage the two parties. Sylvester Debe was born by a different mother earlier when Ojukwu was in his late twenties while Emeka Ojukwu Jnr is the son of Njideka, Ojukwu’s late wife from Nawfia in Anambra state. There is a controversy over the correct status of Sylvester Debe’s mother who died some years ago. While Emeka Ojukwu Jnr and his sibling alleged that their father did not formally marry Debe’s mother, she was only his concubine.

Debe on the other hand debunked the claim as mischievous falsehood and strongly stated that Emeka Ojukwu Snr paid his mother’s bride price. However, the larger Ojukwu-Okigbo family and some Elders in Nnewi appear divided over the issue in contention said an elder from Umudim Nnewi: “It is unfair for anybody to deny Sylvester Debe his birth right. He is Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s first son in flesh and blood. Ojukwu recognized and accepted him as his son when he was alive. The issue of whether Ojukwu formally married his mother is not important because it cannot diminish the fact that his is the son of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. Nnewi indigenes know him as our brother the son of Ojukwu. Full stop”

However another elderly man from Umudim, Nnewi differed a little in his own reaction: “The problem between the two brothers has been in for some time. You know, that is what obtains on most families were the children have different mothers. But in this case, the issue is not whether it was Chukwuemeka Ojukwu who gave birth to Sylvester Debe but whether he is Ojukwu’s legitimate and traditional son since it is being alleged that his mother was not properly married to Ojukwu. 

You know, in some parts of Igboland if a man impregnates a woman he is not traditionally married to, the child of the woman is not his own unless he marries her before she delivers” the elder said, adding: – “that is why we warn young boys and girls nowadays to be careful, let them control their loins and womanhood, if you must impregnate a woman, first get married to her or you will be denied the joy of owing your own child. For the woman, your child from an illegitimate relationship will experience this type of crisis when he grows up and it is so painful!

Another issue that was said to have caused the rift between Sylvester Debe and Emeka Ojukwu Jnr is the recent titled of Ikemba II conferred in Emeka by the Nawfia Ruling Council. 

“Dede’s mother’s opinion is that his younger brother accepted the title to spite him and to further his claim their late father’s heir apparent. Debe thought Emeka should have discreetly rejected the offer to give him their late father’s title when his senior brother is still alive. It was also considered an insult to Nnewi Traditional Council that a title given to one of their sons is being replicated to the holder’s young son by another community even without his formal burial.