The family of Pastor Chukwubuike Ezekeke has strongly refuted a recent report published by Ekwulobia Urban News concerning the burial of late Mr. Emmanuel Ezekeke Ezeumeh of Okpo Village, Ekwulobia. The family, through Mr. Jeremiah Ezekeke, son of Pastor Chukwubuike, described the publication as one–sided, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to project their father in bad light before the public.
Speaking with Daily News Reporters, Mr. Jeremiah explained that the truth about the burial arrangements of their late uncle, Emmanuel was very different from what was reported. According to him, it was the intervention of the Umuezeadikoba community youths, led by their chairman, MC Ezeobiadinso, that brought about a peaceful resolution and enabled the eventual burial of Emmanuel after many years.
Jeremiah narrated that on Monday, 16th June 2025, a crucial peace meeting was held at the family house of Pastor Chukwubuike. Present at the meeting were: Mrs. Rita Okonkwo (mother of the deceased), Chinedu Ezeobi, MC Ezeobiadinso, Pastor Chukwubuike’s first son, Chukwubuike’s Ezekeke Jr. and Jeremiah himself, as well as members of the Umuezeadikoba youth taskforce. During this meeting, the children of Chukwubuike pleaded with their aunt, Mrs. Rita Okonkwo, stressing that the matter had lingered for too long and that Emmanuel deserved to be given a proper burial.
Jeremiah confirmed that their father, Pastor Chukwubuike, provided a portion of his inherited land for Emmanuel’s burial, a gesture that was accepted with satisfaction by Mrs. Rita Okonkwo. She reportedly expressed happiness at the peace initiative and stated clearly that she did not want to lose both a son and a brother, adding that she hoped the reconciliation would pave the way for their father’s eventual release.
The family further revealed that contrary to the insinuations in Ekwulobia Urban News, they made significant contributions to ensure the burial took place. According to Jeremiah, a donation First Bank account was provided in the name of Onyekesi Augustine, into which both family members and supporters contributed. This fact, he stressed, is verifiable and proves that the family was actively involved, not absent as the earlier report suggested.
Jeremiah expressed sadness that Ekwulobia Urban News chose to ignore these truths, instead publishing what he called a “half-baked story” that twisted a family matter into a scandal. He emphasized that the issue has since been resolved within the family and should remain so, noting that the law had already taken its course on his father.
For the past 16 years, Jeremiah said, he and his siblings have lived like children without a father, enduring hardship and stigma. He lamented that continued circulation of negative narratives only deepens their pain and works against their hope of reconciliation. “We are only praying and wishing that one day, government will pardon our father. But it is heartbreaking to see people push false stories to ensure he never comes home,” he stated.
The family, while appealing to the public to disregard misleading reports, also called on well-meaning individuals across Ekwulobia and Anambra State to continue praying for them. They specifically pleaded with the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, to consider their plight and grant their father pardon after 16 long years in incarceration.
In Jeremiah’s words:
“Growing up without a father was so tough for us. We beg His Excellency, Prof. Charles Soludo, to please hear our cry and intervene so that our father will come home to us.”
The family’s message is clear; what happened is a family matter that has now been settled. They are asking for fairness, compassion, and a chance to heal.
