SOS To Soludo: Umueze Ogwugwu Oba Protests Alleged Government Land Grab, Demolition Of Property

By Chukwudi Ebele

At least 3,000 indigenes of the Umueze Ogwugwu Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, protested on the weekend against the alleged takeover of their land by Bukham Group, a government property developer.

The protesters claimed that the firm had destroyed buildings, farmland, cash crops, and economic trees during the process.

The protesters carried placards bearing messages such as, “Soludo, come to our rescue,” “This land is all we have, Bukham Group, in collaboration with some of our sons, has sold off plots of our land, We cannot be tenants in our own land,” and “They have destroyed our buildings and farmland.”

Addressing newsmen during the protest, the community president, Sir Emeka Motanya, stated, “Property estimated at over ₦1 billion, including buildings, farmland, economic trees, and farm produce, has been destroyed, and numerous plots of land have been sold off since the land dispute began.

“This morning, they continued destroying our economic crops and other property. They have expanded beyond the area we allocated to them for the construction of the Anambra State International Market and have almost taken possession of our residential area. Some of us, fearing for our safety, have fled to neighboring communities like Oraifite and Akwukwu.

“If we don’t receive help, they will wipe us out, and Oba will become eight villages instead of nine. We urge Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Hon. Harris Okonkwo, representing Idemili North/South in the Green Chamber, the Idemili South chairman, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi, and Iyom Ifeabata to come to our rescue because they believe we have no one to speak for us or protect us from their attacks.”

Speaking through his secretary general, Samuel Onwukwe, the president reiterated that “the developer should only occupy the portion allocated for the construction of the market, as agreed.

About five months ago, a destructive team led by Sonny Bigman caused severe damage to our property and buildings. Today, this developer has continued where Sunny Bigman left off.”

Hon. Chikodili Madu, vice president of the youth wing, recalled how their forefathers spent money to secure a Supreme Court judgment on the land. He called on Governor Soludo, Hon. Harris Okonkwo, and the council chairman, Iyom, to intervene, adding.

“The developer and his team believe we have no one to assist us.”

Nwagbologu Muotuanya alleged that the developer, in collusion with some community members, is selling the encroached land, “because they believe we are powerless.”

“We have written numerous petitions to various offices regarding these people’s illegal activities, but the petitions are ignored without investigation,” he lamented.

Mrs. Chukwuma Rose, president of the women’s wing, stated, “Umueze Ogwugwu is being destroyed. The buildings built by our husbands have been demolished.

Our farmland, farm produce, and economic trees have all been destroyed, and we now live in constant fear, which prompted this protest.

“Soludo should help us because some of us are fleeing to neighboring communities like Oraifite and Akwukwu,” she pleaded.

However, Rev. Chris Emerie, leader of the 14-man panel of inquiry established by the traditional ruler of Oba, Igwe Engr. Augustine Chinedu Emelobe, to restore peace in the disputed land, refuted the allegations made by the Umueze Ogwugwu Oba community against the government developer and certain community members.

According to Emerie, “The ongoing activity is simply the clearing of bushes to determine the demarcation of the land, as agreed in the presence of the monarch, who wishes to ensure peace and appointed a panel of inquiry, of which some members are from Ogwugwu. No structure has been touched.”

Ichie Samuel Onuchukwu, another member of the panel, stated that communities do not allocate land to the government; rather, the government acquires land. He added that the land in question was acquired by the state government during the administration of the late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju on May 30, 2001, with portions of land given to Ogwugwu Oba village as compensation.