Abia Airport Project: Court Order Halting Land Acquisition Remains In Effect Amidst Community Concerns

The legal battle over land acquisition for the proposed Abia Airport project continues, with a state High Court order halting further action by the Abia State Government still in effect.

Despite the court’s December 20, 2024 stay of execution, Nsulu host communities in Isiala Ngwa North LGA are deeply concerned about the government’s ongoing activities on the land.

Following a hearing on February 18th at the Okpuala Ngwa High Court, presided over by Justice Enyinnaya Okezie (Suit No. HIN/62/2024), the court adjourned the case until March 25th, 2025, to assess the status of negotiations between the government and the affected communities.

While the government’s representative, Ngozi Onwugbufor of the Abia State Ministry of Justice, acknowledged ongoing negotiations, the communities’ legal counsel, Chukwuemeka Nwaogu, confirmed that the court’s stay of execution, which prohibits land clearing and displacement of landowners, is still in effect. He was optimistic about the ongoing discussions.

However, the Village Head of the Nsulu communities, Engr. Ikechukwu Uche, expressed strong opposition to the government’s actions. He stated that, despite the court order, the government has continued with activities such as path clearing and land enumeration.

He emphasised that this is unacceptable without a clear agreement on land size and official notification of the proposed area to the communities.

“It is only when you know the size of the land that enumeration of landowners can begin,” Engr. Uche said, adding that the government’s actions are causing tension and may breach the peace.

He demanded that the enumeration process be halted until the official size of the land was determined and independently verified by the community.

Echezolam Ukaumunna echoed these concerns, urging the Abia State Government to follow the judiciary’s ruling and halt all land-related activities until a mutually agreed-upon land mass is officially released and endorsed by the Nsulu people through negotiation rather than coercion.

He specifically urged the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Pastor Okorougo Aji (the Project Coordinator), to follow due process.

The next court hearing, on March 25th, will be critical in determining the fate of the Abia Airport project and resolving the ongoing conflict between the government and the Nsulu communities.