The career of a celebrity and award-winning Nigerian poet, Amu-Nnadi Chijioke has been threatened by a deluge of s*x scandal from different women who have accused the poet of sexual harassment, and causing them monumental emotional damage.
Nigerian Poet, Amu-Nnadi Chijioke
A popular and award-winning Nigerian poet Amu-Nnadi Chijioke has found himself in a career-threatening sex scandal that is not only about to eclipse his marriage but also his reputation.
According to reliable reports, the popular poet who's around 53-years has been accused by not less than 3 different girls of sexually molesting them in one way or the other.
The accusations came to light after a revelation by one of the victims who mustered up boldness to spill the beans sparked media outrage by friends and family. The girl by name, Miracle Adebayo, accused Amu of forcefully kissing her in the mouth as she spent some time with him inside his car during an event he hosted.
The revelation brought about an avalanche of hidden molestation stories being unleashed, forcing more girls to come out with shocking revelations.
Shocking revelation by victims
First was Miracle Adebayo who wrote about the ordeal she suffered in the hands of the poet. Miracle wrote: "What I'm about to say is sensitive and frankly, would make me some enemies but really, I don't care anymore.
I have kept quiet for a year plus because I blamed myself for what happened, because I felt I should have known better, because I was scared of putting my reputation on the line. I am not a fan of sensationalism, I have never used the internet as a way to garner popularity or fans; my friends here know me for that very well.
I don't intend to start now.
I have decided to keep quiet no longer and even though I still blame myself for what happened in a way, I want to try to help other unsuspecting girls who are about to fall prey to this man.
****
Two years ago, in November 2014 at Ake Festival, I met Chijioke Amu-Nnadi for the first time.
I am a reserved person most times, so I kept to myself even though he tried to draw me out by referring to me as his daughter.
I was flattered at first, considering that he didn't know me.
I won't bore you with the details.
However at some point during the festival, I was in his car with two other people. He specifically asked that I sit in the front seat while we drove to get food. I didn't object because I saw no big deal there.
Along the road, we stopped for the other occupants to get something from a shop. In those few minutes;Amu-Nnadi, a man I thought I could trust, forcefully kissed me.
I was stunned and repulsed. I couldn't speak.
All I could think of was how stupid I was to have trusted him just a little bit.
After the incident, I avoided him. After much pressure from him, I told him how disgusted I was by what he had done.
Guess what he did?
He told me to loosen up!
He told me it was normal, that it was my fault I am so uptight.
Fathers, how many of you go around forcefully kissing your 'daughter' on the lips?
Tell me if that's a new tradition, so I'd get in with it. Because last I checked, doing something to someone against his/her will...is assault.
I don't think it's fair to protect a man who cares nothing about us, because of his reputation and his threats. I don't think talking in hushed whispers helps prospective victims either.
For some who would say it was just a kiss...I laugh. I remember nothing about my body language that day that suggested to him that I wanted that kiss.
Let your daughter’s elderly male teacher forcefully kiss her and then we'll talk about how normal it is.
This is my truth. Believe it or not.
Ask yourself though, why would I lie? What do I stand to gain from it?"
After her shocking and interesting revelation, Mary Ajayi came out with hers and claimed thus: "Mine didn’t start with poetry.
I didn’t know him beyond his name, his posts, on Facebook.
I was in Uganda for 2015 Writivism Literary Festival as the festival’s blog editor; he was there too, as a guest to hold a masterclass on poetry.
He checked in at midnight with Sadiq Dzukogi. I was working at a section of Ministers' Village –the hotel we were lodged- dining hall when he arrived. Mukoma wa Thiong’o, Pa Ikhide, and Aaron Bady had arrived not long before and I’d gone to the reception to greet them so when Ssekandi – the festival’s official chauffeur – pulled into the driveway, I went out to see who else had come in.
As I greeted him and introduced myself, he hugged me. Then one of the minders (those in charge of the guests…Lyz Kitego, was it you who came with them from the Airport?) and I accompanied them upstairs to settle in. After we found their rooms, we all made to leave. I was going back to the ground floor to continue work; he offered to see me off a bit. When we got to the first floor (his room was on the third), we stopped to wrap up our chit chat. I didn’t see what happened next coming. It just did.
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me.
I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t even processing. I just said, “Goodnight,” turned around and walked back to where I was working. As I sat, it began to hit me. Chijioke-Amunnadi kissed me. He kissed me…he…kissed me? He fucking kissed me?
Irritation. Anger.
This was the man I had never interacted with personally, not even on Facebook. We had just met and he’d kissed me. I didn't even know him! As I processed, I began to calm myself. I had work to do, Bwesigye Bwa Mwesigire and the Writivism team did not bring me to Uganda so I could spend time sorting feelings at Ministers’ Village hotel. As I continued working, he came downstairs to give me an autographed copy of his book. I thanked him and kept working.
The next days at Uganda found me avoiding him and getting irritated when he tried to come close or call me daughter. My roommate, Nneoma, knew my irritation for the man. One night, he asked us to move into his room which was bigger than ours so he could move into ours, because a “friend” had come in and needed somewhere to stay. I disagreed but Nneoma calmed me and said it was just for the night. When we got to his room, he looked around and said it was big enough and we all could share. We disagreed.
Adeola would later see the massive doze of 'attitude' I dished him regularly. And even the night she and Nneoma asked me to go with them for a dinner that Chijioke ended paying for, I had mental workings to do and ensured nothing drew he and I close.
.
I have heard things.
I don’t know Chijioke. I don’t know him at all.
Perhaps kissing me – without so much as a simple by-your-leave, may not count much in the scope of all that’s been blowing up for days but I heard the old man has been saying the girls he tried things with seduced him, they were cheap…I hope he hasn’t mentioned my name because the result will take the host of heaven to settle. My blood is that hot.
There are a few more things to say about my encounter with this man. I hosted a project on 10 October 2015 for World Mental Health Day at University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Some of you may know about it. The Curator of the project invited Chijioke to perform as we were interpreting mental health issues through art. I had given the Curator sole right to decide on who got invited, so I chose to let things slide. In the course of planning, we ran short of funds and she turned to Chijioke for help. He did. She was one of his "daughters" but as I'll later discover, one of the few "daughters" he hadn't tried to touch.
Yet. He gave a total of about 35,000 naira towards the event. I thanked him. And I kept him far. But the old man still did not know his place and went on to attempt something with our Welfare Coordinator. He wanted to kiss her; he wanted to give her head. I wasn't there when he said those but she came back from performing her official duties and told me this.
It is important to mention the money part because I heard he said these girls – the ones he’s tried things with – were after his money. Dem too love money. I wasn’t after his money.
Although Chijioke would later tell me he respected me, we had both discovered who the other was.
I believe the ladies who have told the story of their experience with this man. Miracle Adebayo, kindly let me use you as a point of contact. I stand with you all.
#TheStory‬ #Truth‬"
The stories of Amu-Nnadi's sexual escapades and kissing trials are now legendary. That could be deduced from the selfless way he allegedly manipulated these ladies into doing his bidding. Throwing more light on his manipulative skills, a very close friend who used to call him father has bared it all.
Writing with much vexation, Jennifer Chinenye Emelife revealed more interesting yet shocking details of how Amu took advantage of her.
She wrote on Facebook:
"Dear Chijioke Amunnadi,
Your cup is full and over running. I'm sick of all the hushed conversations, the inbox messages all in a bid to save your ass. Yet you go about spewing lies about people. Why is nobody speaking up openly?
Dear Chijioke Amunnadi, I'm tired of you going about, playing lovelorn, looking for younger girls to get into your bed. How old are you again? 53?
Amunnadi, once, I loved you. And honestly so. But you have proven to be a manipulative bastard. What is your gain? Why are you so full of deceit? Why do you tell girls you want to father them and then when they get comfortable with you, you try to lure them into sex? How did I fall for your shitty ways?
Dear Chijioke Amunnadi, you think you're smart. So for every girl you get or try to get inappropriate with, there is one you're treating right. Those are your tools, your cover. But of course you are smart; your slimy ways will be the end of you. Be ready to dance to the beating of your drum. Enough is enough really. Fuck you, a thousand times over.
***
Dear friends on Facebook,
I don't know what you will make of this and I'm not asking anyone to believe me. I don't know what you've been hearing and I'm not asking you to tell me. I'm tired. I'm just tired. Of how we go on private conversations and say 'ah, that man! That's his way with girls o' yet we all keep quiet and let many younger girls get hurt in the way, giving him power, loyalty and respect that he doesn't deserve! What bunch of hypocrites are we!
You young girls, again I tell you, be wary of fathers( who are not your fathers) and mentors...don't let any man cajole you into doing what you don't want to do. Sometimes it gets tricky, but please have your eyes and head open.
But again, why does it have to be the girl running all the time? What is wrong with some men? Why is nobody teaching the man to stop chasing instead of teaching the girl to keep running? Does anybody not bother that sometime, the girl's feet will get sore and so she may trip and fall? Why do people abuse trust?
***
Dear boyfriend,
You know there is just you. And that I love you. Many things will come up after this, people will talk. But again, I ask that you trust me. Please.
***
Dear mum, siblings, cousins and family,
This girl is fine. Perfectly so. Please don't worry your head. I'm only trying to do what I feel is right.
***
And nobody should come asking me why I have to do this here, because it all began on Facebook, so it must end here.
***
Dear Mark Zuckerberg, I'm taking a break. This space is shitty. I'm tired.
PS: Someone should please copy this and send to Chijioke Amunnadi. Thank you."
While matters were boiling, more confirmation of the ugly sexual encounters became clearer and clearer. Writing with such vocal audacity, Ayodele Olofintuade went back memory lane as he talks about noticing the changes in one of the victims.
He wrote: "I have watched since last year when Jennifer Chinenye Emelife has been hurting. I have watched her timeline the hurtful remarks. The filthy accusations, but this young lady faced them down. She won't be silenced. Nobody believed her until some other people confirmed that Chijioke Amu-nnadi has been preying on them too.
So he apologized for what? Does he think making some silly apology will make the whole thing go away? That all will be forgiven? What about the pain and humiliation he's dished out to this young woman? What about the emotional hurt he's inflicted on so many vulnerable young writers who are only trying to make a life?
In saner climes Chijioke will be on his way to the slammer right now.
But some people are already praising him for being so 'brave' ... like fucking seriously?
So now he's apologized we should all kiss and make up... We still have a long way to go in this country.
Chijioke is a sexual predator. He needs to see a psychiatrist and I'm dead serious about this. I fucking hope he doesn't have a daughter..."
Amu tenders unapologetic apology
The alleged sexual molestation story of Amu-Nnadi Chijioke is one of many mysteries. Did he actually do all that has been leveled against him? His witty apology suggests so. But, how? What could have made a respected, celebrated and acclaimed 53-year-old poet and writer with a loving wife and family shun protocols and bypass all his marital vows to prey on young girls? Is that the reason why most poets are dreaded?
The irony of the whole matter lies in the alleged concocted, ill-formed and cunning apology Amu tendered after he angrily deactivated his Facebook account in the heat of the crisis. Interestingly, a man's conscience cannot lie, says one old man. Besieged by a deluge of protesting views, Amu came back on Facebook to tender what sounds like an apology without showing remorse and neither did he address the issues nor his victims. Chijioke Amu-nnadi wrote:
"My dear friends and colleagues, I have read and heard a lot that has been said about how my manner of interaction with some younger female writers within our literary commune has been quite inappropriate. With sincerity I accept responsibility for the hurt a writer's excesses have caused you all. I wish to humbly seek a lasting healing for all affected and all concerned because it was not my intention to hurt anyone. I truly regret this. I am deeply sorry and I apologize without reservation to all affected. DO FORGIVE. Thank you all for reading and for your understanding.
Cc.
Pa Ikhide
Denja Abdullahi, The President, ANA"
Sadly, many have hailed this gesture applauding him for taking such path. While the battered souls cry, it seems their stories would end just there - on Facebook.
Dissecting the so-called apology, Nkem Ivara explained it the way it is. She wrote: "Chijioke, you do all writers a great disservice when you call what you have been accused of 'a writer's excesses'. .This is no apology. This is an 'in-your-face' hand gesture at all whom you've wronged. This is the smugness of a person who knows that he lives in a misogynistic society where a man accused of sexual molestation by several women will always be given the benefit of the doubt and believed whilst his accusers are vilified and mocked.
This is smirking whilst pouring salt on your accusers' wounds. What you have been accused of doing has absolutely nothing to do with you being a writer. I would say 'man up' and do better but reading through the comments on here tells me that I'm in the minority in thinking you haven't already 'manned up'."
It would be recalled that the controversy took a huge turn after CeCe Ireneh's long post encouraged Amu's victims to speak up. It was the post which set-off the deluge of other posts that broke the camel's back.
She wrote: "First it starts with poetry..then beautiful words about how wonderful and special you are..then he notices you are quite busty and has dangerous curves..then he assures you of how he will always have your back. Then of course you need to tell him EVERYTHING about yourself since you were born.
.
While you are at it, he notices you are vulnerable and the father thing starts.. If you are strong, he loves you all the same and uses you as his cover..so you will always be there when shit hits the fan.
Now to you the vulnerable one, who wouldn't fall for all that saccharin sweetness? I mean I fell hard, especially since my mum is all I have ever had and I also have big daddy issues. It is too good to be true, so you do not notice on time that the poems your 'daddy' reads you is about how he feels peace when sheathed inside you..how your mounds stand firm and tall, begging him to touch.
.
You get asked lots of questions, you get to hear about all his sexcapades..that's a great daddy right there.
It doesn't matter if you are a virgin, cunnilingus will do no harm to your precious cherry. You are so memerised that you notice almost too late that his hands are almost in. If you let him, you are cheap, it is consensual ..that is what he would tell the world. If you don't, you ate his money and took him for a maga or you threw yourself at him.
.
I am CeCe Irenosen Omofonma and I was abused when I was much younger.. thrice. Kin, colleague and rival.
Did I feel shame or stigma? Yes
Did I feel less or hate myself? I used to, not anymore.
Is it everybody in my life that knows about it? Nope..in fact my family knows very little.
Where are all my abusers? They are all dead..(hahaha, don't try me bro)
Could I talk about it with people? Nah.. It was hard to at first..very.
.
I hated myself, I had low self esteem..yes it may be hard to believe now, but I wasn't this confident girl then. I wasn't even healed till last year. And that was because the wonderful man in my life made me work on myself, made me find myself..in fact he made sure of it.
That is why even if this relationship were to ever end, there would be no hate or hard feelings, because some people come into your life and they make you better, they invest so much in you and love you without judgement.
.
Yes, I was born privileged but it was short lived and I had to learn to be strong, to work, to fend for myself and loved ones. I have never had to sell myself for money, heck there was a time I detested sex, a time when a hug from a guy could earn him a slap.. A paranoid time for me. I have been a sales girl, receptionist, model , PA, security, pure water seller, sold food with wheelbarrow .. Lol yeah. Doesn't look like it right? But I preferred those jobs than doing anything that would make me have physical contact with men (no disrespect to those who earn their living that way)
.
I still have my demons, I still have my nightmares. I still go all ballistic on my loved ones for no reason. I still wake up to cry for hours over nothing, then wash my face and sleep. But I am blessed because as impossible as I am, as difficult , mean, infuriating, talkative as I am..there are people who love me all the same.
.
As at this time last year, I was recovering from an illness, a very bad one where doctors were using me to do experiments anyhow. I was told I would die, then told I have to remove my two kidneys..I was like, "I am not old..how can I be having end renal disease? You people don't know what you are doing o" Turns out it was an infection after all, a very big one..but not enough to take out two kidneys.
.
I went through hell..Hymar David went through hell, both mothers could not rest.
We spent lots of money, I was dry and ugly. Thanks to God, I overcame that.
I remember once, we needed to buy some drugs and there was no money, and someone suggested we solicit help from social media and I just cringed at the thought.
I am so glad we took that decision not to make any post asking for health funds, gosh I think its the most wisest decision I made that year.
.
Because we did, I can breath easier.
Because we did, I can smile at the sick way people try to hurt others. I am just recently aware that a malicious man has been saying very sick things about me. Guy I understand your outrage.. I mean i am the one encouraging people to speak out right? People say you groped them, you played with their heads, these people talking in whispers are so certain of what they are saying. I am not your problem o, I did not say you groped me, so stop threatening me and my family..Yes, I know we are all females in the house but we are not helpless.
.
You say I am campaigning against you.. Who ees me na, small girl like me to be campaigning against you? If you know how many people come into the shop yelling for food. You will know I do not even have that time.
.
I can be petty. I can be infuriating, sometimes I lie , I am a crybaby, I am chief owner of the silent treatment therapy, I have no patience for multiple mistakes, I can make you just want to bash my head, I am a good whiner..but there are some things I am not. I am a very complicated person, emotionally. I feel better when I talk to people..when I am listened to. It does not necessarily mean I want something from you in particular, except to be listened to.
.
I want to address your issue of blackmail and I have ignored the whisperings so far. Trying to prove to anyone here that I was really ill, uploading photos of all my health documents is no big deal, but the truth is, I owe nobody any explanations. Did I ask you for dialysis money? Did you see me soliciting funds upandan on Facebook? Nope. So why you have decided to make it your business to know the percentage of how really ill I was, is beyond me.
.
I know what abuse is, the sickest form..just name it and it is not new to me..so long it is not the * boyfriend beat girl friend* type. When you've been on your own since like forever, you come across a lot of things..abuse is the hardest thing to share..once you do, there's this awful feeling inside you, this feeling that the person you just told must think less of you already..also we have a society rife with Shame and silence for those who speak out.
So why anyone would think this is just to get attention is beyond me. We have families here, friends who look up to us, we put a lot on the line to make this come out.
.
I am proud, very..I have come this far and trust me, it has not been easy.. I am wary when people try to help me, people I barely know..so I always tend to ask why, because you see this life? The same someone that will tell you not to let people know he/she paid your school fees, will go behind you to spread the news.
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Why do we do it? Give and expect in return? No , do not get me wrong..if you want something in return, just lay it out from the onset..do not sulk when things do not go your way or go about spreading sickening falsehoods to dignify your actions. Dude as broke as I am, I pay the secondary school fees of three young girls on my street, and we are not related. Real givers do not even go about telling people all they've done for you.
.
Why am I saying all these? So you get where I am coming from. It does not matter whether I know you well or not, once you have been abused, babe/bro I recognise you..I share whatever you feel and I stand by you.
I have heard tales of how I "ate" your money and "ran away" hahahaha, I like money..a lot I no go lie.
So is giving money a yardstick to yarn rubbish in our ears? We do not want to know about all the girls you banged and gave cars, we do not wanna hear " it could be you" or " I love the smell of a woman's vagina" we are not cave women who have never heard of cunnilingus before, so we do not shake in anticipation of the profound experience.
And the fact you gave these ladies money they didn't ask you for does not make your actions justifiable.
I have no problems with a man trying to get his groove on at over 50.. But do it with transparency, its a free world.
.
It is petty when an old man goes about knocking the heads of teenagers together simply because you feel you pay their fees.
So many things man..so many things.
But one thing is sure, Ladies I believe you a million percent..I am just touted and gossiped around because I am the one who got away.
Chijioke amunnadi, you made me stronger.. You made me work harder than I ever have in my life so nobody could hold anything over my head, you made me develop a full body shield as protection against whatever people say.
We are both flawed, very. Difference is I am not sick and twisted.
Now you can write because I know say na my own you dey wait for since , I mean I seem the vulnerable one right? Because I am sure you haven't called to threaten the others yet. Well, you'll just be surprised."
Investigation & Prosecution Sets in
In the face of all the allegations of sexual molestation and misconduct leveled against the popular poet, a rights group called Women and Children Advocacy Groups has taken up the case to force punishment to be meted on the offender as it has commenced thorough investigation into the matter. Leading the group is Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido. Writing on her Facebook page and via a circular sent to appropriate quarters, she made it clear that legal action would be taken against the poet.
She wrote: "Good morning everyone,
Someone sent me a message this morning of Mr Chijioke Amu-nnadi's post. And expressed their joy that this was all 'settled'. I and my team are still racking our heads as to what that means exactly.
'Settled' for who exactly? For CeCe Mary Miracle Jennifer And the many others who have decided not to share it on FB but have shared their experiences directly with all the different agencies investigating this and are willing to speak their truth in a professional setting so that TRUE and LASTING resolutions are made?
Please people, serious issues are at stake here. This is not just about these girls. In fact when each spoke to us, their underlying request was for systems and structures be put in place for the future to avoid an abuse in the mentor-mentee relationship. For some, they require that Art Festival organizers put in clear code of conducts for every participant they invite. There are some of these girls that are not even in the literary space.
Two people (one of them a family member of Mr Chijioke Amu-nnadi) had called in months before, almost 2 year and a year apart, to express concerns about an 18 to 20 year old who he impregnated but faced intimidation. One said there is an issue of a child he has out of wedlock. Suddenly these people stopped calling. In fact, for close to two years, our entire teams have faced fears that maybe something happened as we have no leads to follow up on. We came into the literary space quite by chance. Because he had mentioned to about 4 different people in the literary space of a pregnancy and a baby.
We are still not clear if this is one girl or if there are two girls. Yesterday, one of our partner agency released funding to send their own investigators to Port Harcourt. They are interested in making sure of the true facts of the matter and if this girl(s) and baby? are in fact safe and sound. That part of the investigation is totally out of our scope as the request came to a whole other agency. I do know that they have stipulated a 3 year window to follow the case. This particular International agency deals with issues of safety for vulnerable girls and child support/care for children.
On the issue of the Literary space which my organization and two others are directly involved, we have a DEFINED professional scope AND we follow due processes and internal protocols. For instance, some of the key stages in our process flow are:
1. We get a complaint. Either from the person directly involved or a third party;
2. An investigation commences. To determine if these are spurious or worth pursuing. Typically, we send undercover agents to engage directly with the principals to understand behaviour, patterns, strategies, past behaviours, history of any criminal/social mis-conducts etc;
3. We identify ALL the principal parties involved and begin contacting them
4. We send notifications to all the parties that an investigation is started
5. We request for contact information to all parties to keep them updated and to get their sides of the story; Through informational interviews we get everyone's stories;
6. We begin to gather Hard Facts and Evidence. This may include and is not limited to Phone logs/detailed call histories, texts/sms/chats, conversations, witness accounts, expert analysis and consultations. For this particular case, because of the nature of the issues, we used Behavioural, Clinical and Neuro-Science/Linguistic professionals, Trained psychologists and Tech consultants to analyze behaviour, language patterns, etc.
7. We analyze all data and connect the dots
8. We send out formal requests for statements from parties affected on the allegations 9In this case, because there are more than one, the alleged accused has to answer to each and every allegation.
The reason is that each person wants a different outcome;
9. We prepare a PROFESSIONAL REPORT that captures the entire case;
**Some of those outcomes include:
1. The alleged victims may request to share their stories publicly. We allow each person decide what is best for them. This we refer to as #SHATTERINGTheSILENCE‬ We NEVER pressure anybody to come forward because we know how sensitive these things are. We are on standby to deal with any trauma of coming forward because public opinion may sometimes be hard for alleged victims.
2. After, the silence is shattered, ideally we hope to hear from the alleged accused. A public statement CLEARLY stating whether they are guilty or not of the allegations and/or that they wish to seek legal prosecution by suing
3. An outcome could be mediation on a face to face basis between the alleged accused and accusers (In this case, this is ONE of the key things requested by ALL the alleged accusers)
4. Industry-wide changes to reflect their need that these types of behaviours are curbed etc
5. Individualized apologies to each of them. not on social media. (Copied to the advocacy agencies, for future records). The apology states exactly what they are apologizing for.
11. If there are gross violations that need legal enforcements we refer to third-party agencies to prosecute. We provide FREE legal services for all the alleged accusers;
12. If there are no laws broken but only ethical/behavioural boundaries We offer FREE services of Professional psychologists and Therapists to BOTH sides. They are not obliged to take this but we highly recommend it(The stage we are in now)
13. We continue to follow up with the case to ensure closure and healthy resolution.....These are just some of the steps. Sometimes it is more nuanced.
I want to point out that as of today, Mr Chijioke Amu-nnadi has NOT replied to the formal request we sent to him for a contact address (email/home/office) for us to send him a copy of all the allegations so that he may share his responses/story/defence.
Find below what was sent to him via FB messenger:
Good morning Mr Amu-Nnadi,
Based on established chat messages, witnesses and phone call logs, there are salient parts of the investigation that are now taken over by 2 external advocacy and enforcement agencies, for independent probe. It is important to note that although there are no allegations of rape, there are particular incidents and utterances that are being probed further based on evidence. The initial request for an independent probe came from outside the literary circle; from an alleged family member of yours.
May you forward your email, home or office mailing address, so that they may contact you directly should the need arise. You may send your contact information here or via email at info@wholewomannetwork.com, within 48 hours.
We have also forwarded all we uncovered in the past 2 years, especially through 3 combined and distinct undercover chat histories and phone calls, (mine included), over the past 4 months. While I have discontinued any further chats with you, the other 2 are still currently active in your network.
Thank you very much.
-Mrs Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido
(On behalf of a coalition of Women and Children Advocacy Groups)
P.S; Our trackers indicate he saw and read this message at 5.03 AM EST yesterday. So technically, he has till tomorrow at the same time to send his contact information so that we resume the process as espoused above. The report will still commence after the time given has lapsed, with only the alleged accusers and our findings reflected.
Again, I asked: This has been 'Settled' for who and by whom?
This is not a joke. Human lives are involved here. The reputations of BOTH Mr Amu-Nnadi and these young ladies are at stake. Let us not trivialize this. It hurts and abuses the alleged VICTIMS more. There are those that have not shared their stories publicly and all they wish is closure based on TRUE respect, truth, accountability and responsibility.
My team and I promised these girls that I am not on their sides BUT on the side of TRUTH and that in the end they may also see where they are responsible and where he is equally responsible. Where one party abused their power and the other gave away their power. And how we can all set and protect our boundaries in future. They shared their stories because perhaps, they sensed that my team and I are sincere in wanting this fully resolved and 'SETTLED' in a way that brings dignity and closure for all.
We have become a nation so used to DENIAL AND DELUSION; we live in such a PERMISSIVE society where ROOT CAUSES are ignored and shadows are embraced. We are so out of touch with what RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY really mean, it is staggering and shocking to see.
And maybe this is why we need to ensure that this case reminds us and teaches us what these ethos mean. These girls have taught me a lot and I STAND WITH THEM to follow an established process and actually settle this, once and for all.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido
Tee Jay Dan Hymar David
P.S; I've just forwarded Mr Chijioke Amu-nnadi's Post (aka 'APOLOGY') to our team of Behavioural/Language Experts to Analyze. They will recommend our next stages. And as you can all see, we ensure transparency in all our dealings. Our only barometer to calibrate resolution is the TRUTH.
This is based on evidence and accounts and stories from ALL parties. There are no short cuts. In sharing our stories, we are gifted with deeper and wider learning and feedback for the future.
These are our young, our finest and brightest. We cannot fail them. We WILL not fail them. They are the very reason we exist!
May I add that one of the ladies he kissed, now has trouble swallowing her saliva?
That one of the girls invited to kiss him was only 16 at the time?
Update:
And Oh, one of the girls just sent me a message to ask: Please what does "a writer's excesses" mean exactly.
Another says: Oh, I've already forgiven him, all I seek is that he be held ACCOUNTABLE and share his side to my story. Maybe I mis-interpreted him?
And I also want to add in the interest of fairness that no case of Rape has been established against him.
Cc.
BM Dzukogi
Pa Ikhide (Please may someone tag him for me?)
Denja Abdullahi, The President, ANA"
As the case against Amu-Nnadi Chijioke gathers momentum, many especially his friends are still dazed at the level at which the controversy and allegation took place over time without most getting in the know. It is indeed heartbreaking, yet a situation that holds too many a lesson for people all over the world. As the story unfolds, we will bring you more insight, but for now, we end this report with this witty poem by Ayoola Goodyness on the controversy:
Amu to fo (the water pot that broke)
i have picked again the wisdom
betwixt the teeth of fine elders
the wisdom in the stream of tears
the agony in silenced cries
in nods of shame of shame and of shame...
the water pot that broke
becomes a tenant of dumps...
the elder that falls into a gully of shame
tells a ten thousand lessons...
amu lamu n je
a water pot is a water pot....
but the water pot had a big belly
for abundance of rains
and yet could not kill the greed for thunder...
only if amu knows
a pot of rains does not look for the kisses of thunder...
only if the water pot knows
the light of a broken staff is not the joke of a water pot
the choruses of shards shall clothe in filthy rhythms
and the water shall hide in shame into thirsty grounds
without a dirge...
tonight i see the sadness of words
in the eyes of my nibs
and the flames gone from my fingers... they tremble...
shame does smell foul more than shame itself
the water pot in his brokenness spoke
he said we too are sick
and our words cannot heal us...
he maimed the virginity of poesy
the purity in her bliss in a chronicle of excesses...
he lied and spilled derision for pens
he took a dip into the oil of hypocrisy
and smiled repentance away in empty lines...
who buys songs of water for a broken water pot?
tell me...
how do we heal when we are too ill for healings?
i smell of shame
and for crying poetry
there was no more consolation...
they wailed for the patient preys
in the web of willing words
plastered with the vinegar of speechlessness...
they keep wailing
heal to let others heal...
the elder that falls into a gully of shame
tells a ten thousand lessons...
ask amu to fo
he shall tell you...
of broken dreams
and the torturing dryness in the taste of shame...
the elder that falls into the gully of shame
tells a ten thousand lessons...
Ayoola Goodness ©2016
It has been speculated that the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) where Amu holds a respected position must take a stand and punish him if found guilty of the crime to protect the organization's reputation.