EXCLUSIVE: Daughter Of Late PDP Chieftain Fred Udeogu Behind Detention Of Ebonyi Varsity Student Since August 2024 Over Custody Dispute With Ex-Husband

A messy custody battle between the daughter of the late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Elder Fred Udeogu and her estranged husband has landed a 200-level university student in prison since August 2024.

This matter has raised serious concerns about abuse of influence and judicial compromise in Ebonyi State.

The student, identified as Nwigboji ThankGod, is currently languishing in detention, accused of conspiracy, abduction, and child trafficking, all orchestrated by Ogechi Susan, daughter of the late politician, over a dispute with her ex-husband, Emmanuel Chinedu Otuasiadiri.

Sources close to the matter told SaharaReporters that the case started when Chinedu sought custody of his children after their marriage broke down. He approached a young man who was living with Susan’s family to help him remove the children from the home. The young man reportedly refused, fearing repercussions.

“I approached him and he turned down my offer, even despite sending him N70,000 and promising him that I would take him to Ghana immediately for his safety. But the guy told me he can't do it,” Chinedu said.

“This was why I had to engage another man close to the family. He was the one who helped me. Even the CCTV camera that showed the moment I was taking my children shows that ThankGod was not involved. My ex-wife only framed him just to deal with him and she is getting that done because of the influence of her father.”

According to him, the matter was transferred to a family court after three court sittings in Owerri. However, Susan reportedly bypassed the court process. She reportedly approached a senior police officer in Enugu, allegedly with help from her lawyer boyfriend, to file a petition accusing the entire Otuasiadiri family of kidnapping.

“The whole family of the boy, including the mother, spent five days in jail in Owerri and was later sent to Enugu, where they spent one more day and were bailed with N2 million,” Chinedu said.

His uncle was also arrested and released on a separate bail of N1.5 million. But despite returning the children to Susan, the student who reportedly refused to assist Chinedu Nwigboji ThankGod remains behind bars.

“She is only punishing this guy, ThankGod, for nothing,” Chinedu said. “And the guy is from a poor family that could not stand up for him. I have even returned these children, but up till now, the young man is still inside the prison. My ex-wife is saying that she would not withdraw the case unless the guy’s family came to beg her. That they must kneel before her and beg her before she can free him from prison.”

He added: “The family of the young man are not only poor, they are poverty-stricken. His mother has cried her eyes out.”

Susan’s sister, Rita Udeogu, also confirmed the family feud, revealing that she has pleaded with her sister to withdraw the case.

“Everybody has begged my sister to withdraw the case because she is the nominal complainant and she has the right to do that, but she refused. She is charging the young man for conspiracy, abduction, and child trafficking despite knowing that the children were taken by their father,” Rita said.

“And now, the children are back to her. She is still refusing to do that because she wants them to come and beg her.”

She added that ThankGod, an Ebonyi State University student, has had his education disrupted.

“He was denied bail by the court too, despite presenting evidence to show that he was not involved,” she said.

In her defence, Susan insists that the detention is lawful and based on evidence.

“It is true that the guy is currently facing trial, and he is being detained legally. It is a lie that I’m framing him. He was involved in the whole process. He made a confessional statement after we got credible evidence of his involvement,” she told SaharaReporters.

“When my children went missing, I was looking for them everywhere, together with this same guy. We searched every street, every park, warning him that if I later found that he was involved, I would not take it easy with him.

“I have gotten my children back, and I know the efforts I made to get them. And that won't stop the fact that the guy committed an offence. I am asking his family to come and beg me, and if they can’t do that, I won’t withdraw the case.”