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We never bribed Nogokpo chiefs – Peace Council rejects Nufialaga’s claim, demands apology

The National Peace Council has rejected claims that it paid bribes to some chiefs of Nogokpo to drop the controversial clash between them and Archbishop Agyinasare.
Nogokpo chiefs took bribes to drop Agyinasare matter; I rejected $100,000 – Spokesperson
Nogokpo chiefs took bribes to drop Agyinasare matter; I rejected $100,000 – Spokesperson

In a statement, the council demanded an apology and a retraction of the claims by Nufialagah Mawufemor Kobla Nornyigbey, who said he rejected $100,000 which was offered to him.

“On June 29, 2023, an eight-member team of the National Peace Council engaged the Some Traditional Council. “Torgbiga Adamah III led his 13-member Traditional Council team, including Torgbi Saba V of Nogokpo and Torgbi Atsu-Gledza of Nogokpo-Agbakofe in the said meeting with the Peace Council delegation. 

“We wish to state however, that Nufialaga Mawufemor Nornyigbey was absent at that meeting. The discussions were held in an open space with over twenty people present. Under no circumstances did the Council meet Torgbiga Adamah III in private or separately from the main meeting,” the Peace Council said in the statement.

“The Council is calling on Nufialaga Mawufemor Nornyigbey to retract and apologize for his false and damaging statement full of unsubstantiated allegations,” it added.

Last week, a video of Nufialagah Mawufemor Kobla Nornyigbey, the man who served as spokesperson for the Nogokpo Traditional leaders during the controversial clash between them and Archbishop Agyinasare alleging that the chiefs received bribes from the National Peace Council to let the matter die emerged.

He made the grave allegation among other claims during an interview on Mama Grace show on Gerom TV.

“It got to a point with what I saw happening; I had to go live on Facebook to disassociate myself from the issue because people are looking up to me, and I don't want anybody to tag me as going to take a bribe.

“I was already accused of taking bribe and yes people called me to make offers during the issue. I was promised 100,000 dollars to drop the issue but for the love of the people I declined. People have taken it and I Ieave them to their conscience,” Nornyigbey alleged without mincing words.

A portion of the interview which was uploaded to YouTube shows him expressing his disappointment in the traditional leaders of Nogokpo for selling their conscience after seeing money.

“The way we wanted to handle this Agyinasare-Nokogpo issue, trust me, Nogokpo would have been a heaven where investors and a lot of people would have flocked with various opportunities,” he revealed.

According to him, when the controversy was at its peak, pastors, political leaders, and traditional leaders attempted to intervene but the people of Nogokpo stood their ground. However, their traditional leaders passed behind them to receive “envelopes” that got them compromised.

He recounted how the chief of Nogokpo who led the traditional leaders to address a press conference and give Agyinasare a two-week ultimatum to appear before them, was later summoned and slapped with a fine by the paramount chief of the area.

Nornyigbey further claimed that Togbui Adamah III, paramount chief and President of the Some Traditional Council, was initially part of the plan, but turned around later to distance himself from the press conference they held after being compromised.

He accused the National Peace Council of paying bribes to the traditional leaders of Nogokpo on behalf of Agyinasare when they visited the area.

It would be recalled that the leader of Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare got into trouble with the Chiefs of Nogokpo in June 2023 when during a sermon, he described the area as the “demonic headquarters of the Volta Region”.

His comments aroused the displeasure of the chiefs and people of the area and the traditional leaders gave the man of God a 14-day ultimatum to appear before them.

Although Archbishop Agyinasare subsequently clarified his comments, saying he was taken out of context, the traditional leaders remained adamant.

The National Peace Council was compelled to send a delegation to Nogokpo to address the matter although Agyinasare failed to honour the first invitation and a second one by the chiefs.

Read the statement by the Peace Council below:

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