A controversial ₦650 million land transaction between two businessmen from Anambra State has taken a dramatic turn after the aggrieved buyer reportedly sought the intervention of social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) to help recover his money.
The dispute involves Mr. Ifeanyi Udezuo, an estate developer from Ukwulu, and Engr. Austin Oguejiofor, widely known as “Onwa,” from Enugwu-Ukwu.
According to Mr. Udezuo, the disagreement arose from the purchase of one hectare of land, for which he said he paid a total of ₦650 million in five to six instalments.
He explained that the original cost of the land was ₦600 million, but an additional ₦50 million was paid after he defaulted during the instalment payment process, bringing the final amount to ₦650 million.
Udezuo also claimed that the traditional ruler (Igwe) of Ukwulu was aware of the transaction from the outset and had even visited the property in person during the course of the deal.
However, according to him, after completing payment, Engr. Oguejiofor allegedly refused to release the land documents, arguing that the ₦650 million paid did not reflect the true value of the property.
Faced with the dispute, Udezuo said Oguejiofor proposed two options: either renegotiate the value of the land or accept a refund of the money already paid. Udezuo stated that he opted for the refund option, and that a written agreement confirming the refund was signed on January 29, 2025.
Despite the agreement, Udezuo claims the ₦650 million has not been refunded, leaving him in a prolonged effort to recover the funds.
He further alleged that the matter was taken four times to Prince Arthur Eze of Ukpo, a prominent figure from the same local government area, for mediation. According to Udezuo, the efforts did not resolve the dispute, as Oguejiofor allegedly failed to appear at the scheduled meetings.
The case was also reportedly brought before the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but Udezuo maintains that those attempts did not produce any concrete resolution.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Udezuo eventually took the issue to social media, seeking public attention and assistance. In a conversation that has since circulated online, he appealed to VeryDarkMan (VDM), hoping the influencer’s intervention could help him recover the massive sum.
The development has triggered widespread reactions across social media, with many questioning why the dispute has not been formally pursued through the courts or fully handled through traditional institutions in both Ukwulu and Enugwu-Ukwu, especially since the Igwe of Ukwulu was reportedly aware of the deal from the beginning.
Others, however, argue that the method used to pursue justice should not matter, insisting that the priority should be ensuring the recovery of the ₦650 million.
As discussions intensify online, the dispute has once again drawn attention to the complexities of high-value land transactions and the growing role of social media in resolving private business conflicts in Nigeria.
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