A dispute between Nigerian Army Captain Elugwu James Chibueze and Gwagwalada-based businessman Thomas Chika over a ₦880,000 shop transaction has been resolved following the intervention of community elders, with both men confirming to Chronicles Reporters that they are from the same town and that there is no longer any problem between them.
The development comes after allegations that the military officer deployed soldiers to arrest Mr Thomas over the disputed transaction, with claims of intimidation, physical abuse and demands for additional payments. However, in separate conversations with Chronicles Reporters, both men said the matter had been settled, while Mr Thomas confirmed that he was no longer pursuing charges against the captain.
Reaching out to Chronicles Reporters early Sunday morning, Captain Chibueze denied the allegations against him and presented his account of the transaction, insisting that he had paid for a shop intended for his wife’s business through his brother since March but had neither received the shop nor recovered his money.
“Good day everyone, this is Captain Elugwu James Chibueze. Please disregard every claims against me,” the officer said in a message to the newspaper.
He alleged that Mr Thomas collected ₦880,000 while presenting himself as the owner of the shop, but failed to deliver it or refund the money for several months.
According to the captain, he subsequently sent his men to arrest Mr Thomas and hand him over to the military police. He claimed that the businessman later pleaded to return the money and eventually did so.
Captain Chibueze further acknowledged demanding payment for what he described as unnecessary expenses incurred during the operation. He said he eventually waived the additional expenses but alleged that Mr Thomas nevertheless took the dispute to social media, which he believed was intended to damage his reputation.
The officer’s response provides his side of the dispute, which initially attracted public attention following the circulation of WhatsApp messages containing alleged threats against Mr Thomas, including a statement attributed to the captain that he would treat the businessman “like an animal.”
Mr Thomas, however, maintained that his account of the incident was truthful when contacted by Chronicles Reporters. He explained that the captain was his brother from the same town and disclosed that elders from their community had intervened and settled the disagreement.
The businessman said there was no longer any problem between them and confirmed that he was not pursuing charges against the officer.
Barrister Babatunde Akintade, counsel to Mr Thomas, also confirmed to Chronicles Reporters that the matter had been resolved. The lawyer said both men had now identified themselves as brothers from the same town and that the dispute had been settled.
The resolution brings an end to the immediate disagreement over the shop transaction and the subsequent confrontation. However, the episode had raised wider questions about the involvement of military personnel in private commercial disputes, particularly following the allegations that soldiers were deployed to arrest a civilian over a financial disagreement.
Captain Chibueze maintained that he acted to recover money he had paid for a shop intended for his wife, while Mr Thomas stood by his account of the events. Their decision to settle the matter through community elders and their confirmation that no further dispute remains mark a significant change in the situation.
Chronicles Reporters notes that the parties have confirmed the settlement and Mr Thomas’s decision not to pursue charges. The newspaper has not independently established every disputed detail of the incident, and the parties’ accounts of the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest and the additional expenses differ.
The case highlights the importance of resolving commercial disagreements through lawful channels and the role community elders can play in reconciling parties. It also underscores the need for clarity and accountability whenever allegations arise concerning the use of military personnel in civilian matters.
With both men confirming that the disagreement has been resolved, Chronicles Reporters considers the latest development an important update to its earlier reporting on the dispute.