Soludo suspends LGA chair over wife’s mysterious death

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has placed the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mbazulike Iloka,on suspension.

The state government suspended the newly-appointed TC Chairman over circumstances leading to the death of his wife, Mrs Chidiebere IIoka, barely a few days after his swearing-in as Nnewi North LGA TC chairman.

Iloka, who is popularly known as Mba Mba, was suspended over the huge outcry generated by the circumstances of his wife’s death last Sunday.

It was gathered that the deceased slumped and died after serving her husband’s breakfast, but neighbours and those who knew the couple suspected that Iloka may have killed his wife, as he allegedly had a record of consistently battering her.

The signs of violence were said to have also been found on her body, while a huge wound on her head aroused suspicion, leading to the public outcry over her death.

The suspension letter was signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tony Nwabunwanne, and made available to journalists on Friday.

In the letter, the embattled chairman was asked to hand over to the head of Local Government administration to avoid interfering in the investigation.

The letter quoted that the TC chairman was suspended over the massive outcry, including alleged possible homicide.

The letter with the title, ‘Letter of suspension from office,’ read, “Following the sad news of the death of your wife, late Mrs Chidiebere Iloka on 7th August 2022, there has been a massive outcry over the circumstances leading to her death, including alleged possible homicide.

“While you are presumed innocent until the completion of investigations, it has become imperative that you step aside to allow unfettered investigation and justice.

“Consequently, you are directed to step aside and to hand over the affairs of the local government to the head of local government administration, not later than 12th August 2022, until further notice.”

Iloka was only recently appointed local government chairman and had only been in office for about a week before his suspension came.