Umuejechi Community in Nekede, Owerri West Council of Imo State has initiated legal proceedings against the state government for trespassing on their ancestral land. Alleging that the government’s entry onto the land, including the former Agriculture Development Corporation site, was both forceful and unlawful, the community seeks justice.
A letter penned by their legal representative, Ugochukwu Okoro, and obtained in the state capital, reveals that the community contends that the government disregarded a court order acknowledging their land ownership and explicitly forbidding any further encroachment by the state government.
Undeterred in their determination, the community asserts that they will not relinquish the land unless a court ruling overturning their ownership is issued. They denounce the utilization of armed security personnel by the government to intimidate and harass their residents. Consequently, they have appealed to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Muhammed Alkali Baba Usman, to investigate the matter and ensure the restoration of peace and order in their community.
Collins Ughalaa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications, was approached for a comment on behalf of the state government. However, as of the time of reporting, no response has been received.