Billionaire businessman Chief Austin Oguejiofor, also known as Onwa Enugwu-Ukwu and Chairman of First Rotech Group, has responded strongly to fraud allegations circulating online involving social media activist and businessman .
Through his legal representatives, the prominent businessman demanded that the posts accusing him of fraud be deleted immediately, warning that failure to do so could lead to serious legal action over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.
The controversy began after claims surfaced online suggesting that Chief Austin had defrauded Udezu of ₦650 million in a property transaction. The allegations gained wider attention after being discussed on social media by VeryDarkMan.
However, in a press statement issued by his lawyers, Chief Austin rejected the allegations, insisting that the matter is not a case of fraud but a failed business transaction.
Details of the Property Deal
According to the statement, Udezu initially expressed interest in purchasing one of the company’s properties located in Abuja. The businessman reportedly proposed a payment timeline that differed from the company’s original condition of a one-off payment for the property.
The statement further explained that Udezu made an initial payment but failed to complete the balance within the agreed period. It was only about one year later, the lawyer claimed, that he indicated interest in paying the remaining amount.
By that time, the company said the value of the property had appreciated, meaning the previous price could no longer apply.
Options Allegedly Offered
Chief Austin’s legal team stated that Udezu was presented with several options to resolve the situation. These included:
- Paying the current market value of the property
- Accepting buildings in a proposed estate on the same land
- Requesting a full refund of the money already paid
The statement alleged that Udezu proceeded to transfer the balance based on the old price, adding an extra ₦50 million, without a final agreement confirming that arrangement.
According to the company, Udezu was informed that the payment did not correspond with the property’s updated value. It was at that point, the statement said, that he opted to request a complete refund.
Refund Dispute
Chief Austin maintained that his company had been working to raise the funds for the refund, but the situation escalated when Udezu allegedly began reporting the matter to influential individuals as well as law enforcement agencies including the and the .
According to the statement, those complaints did not lead to any action until the dispute became a topic of discussion on social media.
Legal Warning Issued
Chief Austin’s lawyers argued that presenting the dispute as a fraud case was misleading and damaging to their client’s reputation. They insisted that the matter should be viewed strictly as a commercial disagreement arising from a failed transaction, not criminal activity.
As a result, the legal team demanded that the posts made online accusing their client of fraud be taken down immediately, accompanied by a public apology.
Growing Online Debate
The issue has continued to spark debate across social media platforms, with many users questioning whether the posts will be removed or if the dispute will escalate into a legal confrontation.
For now, both sides appear to be standing their ground as the story continues to unfold.
Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on statements and claims currently circulating online. It is published for public awareness and discussion. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise, and all parties retain the right to present their own account or clarification.