A United States of America-based businessman, Bonaventure Ezekwenna, has petitioned the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over alleged extortions at the state ministry of justice.
He lamented that prosecutors of the ministry are in the habit of extorting money without rendering service.
The petitioner who hailed from Nnobi, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State, alleged that prosecutors connived with a group of “criminal syndicates” to extort various sums of money from him and also to pervert justice in the prosecution of a case of an attempted kidnap and assassination of his life.
Speaking during a press briefing in Awka, on Monday, Ezekwenna, stated that after about 40 years of living in the US, he decided to return to his hometown in Nnobi, Anambra to invest, but unfortunately, he stumbled on the “criminal syndicates”, who, with the connivance of the ministry of justice, have allegedly been extorting and threatening his life.
According to him,”After about 40 years of sojourn in the US, I decided to return home to invest in my hometown in Nnobi, Anambra State. On September 2, 2021, I bought an uncompleted property in Nnobi town for N10million.
“As I began to develop the property, a land grabber stormed and attacked the place threatening violence. He stated that he bought the property a year before me for N20million, he demanded N20million from me to continue development. He demolished my property and stole my building materials.
“I made enquiry who the fellow is and found out that I have stumbled upon hardcore heinous ‘criminal syndicates’ involved in kidnapping, killing and dismembering people, assassinating, land grabbing, terrorising and destabilising communities.
“I reported the matter to the police. After investigation, police produced report and charged the suspect to Chief Magistrate Court, Nnobi. My lawyer also filed a civil suit at the High Court of Anambra State to dislodge the criminal from my property.
“But a prosecutor at the Anambra State Ministry of Justice demanded N1million from me, in order to diligently prosecute the suspect. The prosecutor told me to pay him quickly, because the suspect had already approached him with a large offer, so he will help him to pervade justice.
“I promptly complained to the DPP and she told me to settle with the prosecutor to do my case very well. She told me that’s how it’s done. The prosecutor eventually extorted over N400,000 from me and was still extorting until I vehemently resisted. He threatened me and stated that he will make sure I did not get justice. He sent threats to me through phone calls and text messages.”
Ezekwenna stated that, after about several complaints by him and his lawyer, his case was transferred to another prosecutor who also extorted over N150,000 from him without doing anything.
He added “The chief magistrate cited lousy job of the prosecutors and struck out the case. Myself and my lawyer complained to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, about the conducts of prosecutors in her ministry. She transferred my case to another prosecutor.
“But the new prosecutor demanded and insisted that she will not do my case unless I give her N150,000 and N20,000 every appearance fee. I and my lawyer again reported to the attorney-general, but she did nothing, instead, she got upset at me for complaining.
“Recently, the Attorney-General called me on my telephone and rudely shouted at me to stop complaining about her prosecutors, and to tell my lawyer to apply for a fiat. If this is how crime victims are treated in Anambra State, then the people of Anambra are in a very serious trouble.’’’
Encouraged by perversion of justice by prosecutors, the suspect and his gang have continued to occupy my property, he has become bolder and daring in his menacing threats and violent crimes,” he added.
However, in the petition to Governor ChukwumaSoludo, written by his counsel, Jude Obiorah, dated August 28, 2025, which has the acknowledgement seal and signature of the “Governor’s Secret Registry”, the petitioner urged the governor to order an urgent and independent review of the handling of his cases by the Attorney-General’s office.
The petition tendered to journalists at the press briefing had the caption, ‘Petition on grave concerns over sabotage, perversion of justice, unprofessional conduct in the office of the Attorney-General of Anambra State and continued threat to life”.
Some of the petitioner’s prayers include, “In the light of the foregoing, we most respectfully urge Your Excellency, Governor ChukwumaSoludo, to: order an urgent and independent review of the handling of these cases by the Attorney-General’s office;
“Direct immediate prosecution of the suspects in line with the FAIR Investigation Reports of October 12, 2022 and February 5, 2024;
“Discipline and sanction erring officers including the prosecutors of the ministry whose conduct has compromised the integrity of the state;
“Provide adequate protection for our client, his family and legal representatives in view of the persistent threats to life.
“In conclusion, our client has suffered unimaginable threats, intimidation, extortion and harassment, all of which enabled by the inaction of those entrusted with prosecuting crime in your state. We trust in your proven resolve to restore security, integrity and justice in Anambra;
“We respectfully urge Your Excellency to act decisively and without further delay.”
Reacting, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, said she has warned Ezekwenna to stop paying money to the prosecutors in her ministry.
“I have warned the complainant several times to stop giving money to any prosecutors in my ministry. As it stands now, he should lodge his complaints to the state governor who is my employer,” Ifemeje added.
