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Anambra land recertification: Court fixes hearing As Okonkwo Alleges Financial Fraud Against Soludo
Okonkwo, who is a layman, had dragged Governor Charles Soludo, the 1st respondent and three others before the court, for allegedly embarking on the land document recertification and revalidation exercise, outside the Land Use Act 1978.
The other three respondents in the suit respectively, are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Anambra State, Commissioner for Lands, Survey, Urban Planning and Commissioner of Police, Anambra State.
The matter came up on Thursday for mention.
In suit number A/23/2025, which he initiated through an originating summons, Okonkwo alleged that conducting such an exercise against the provisions of a federal legislation, violated the 1999 Constitution of the Nigerian Federation (as amended).
According to him, the imposition/demand of N25, 000 land recertification/revalidation tax on Anambra land owners by the Soludo government, without an iota of authorization by the Land Use Act, constituted a mega financial fraud, and hence, should be investigated thoroughly by the Nigerian Police Force.
The plaintiff deposed a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the originating summons, alleged that the “illegal” land document recertification/revalidation exercise was deployed to corruptly enrich the budget for Governor Soludo’s re-election campaign, ahead of the forthcoming November 8, 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election.
He asked the court to interpret Sections 5, 6, 8,9,11, 26, 46 (1) and 50(1) of the Land Use Act 1978, regarding the power of the Anambra State Governor in relation to land.
The issues for determination are as follows: “Whether the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants who purport to arrogate the powers of recertification and revalidation of all land documents in Anambra State (State and Non-State Land) have shown to the satisfaction of the court that the Land Use Act, clearly and specifically authorised their action.
“Whether the recertification/revalidation fee/tax of N25, 000 contained in Exhibit ‘A’, which was charged on Anambra State land owners, is not contrary to Part II of the Schedule of the taxes and levies (Approved list of collection) Act, Cap.T2 LFN 2011, and therefore illegal and unconstitutional and subject to account and refund to the defrauded people of Anambra State.”
Pursuant to sections 6(6) (a) & (b) 272 (1) and 315 (1) of the 1999 constitution, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the plaintiff sought 13 reliefs, including a declaratory order, order for account, injunction and exemplary damages in his favour, against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants in the sum of N10 billion.
However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Patrick Ikwueto, hired by the Attorney General of Anambra State, filed a memorandum of conditional appearance and preliminary objection dated May 6, 2025 on behalf of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, requesting for an order striking out or dismissing the suit, for lack of locus standi by the plaintiff.
Ikwueto urged the court to hold that the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute this action and accordingly, strike out/dismiss this suit for lack of jurisdiction on this ground and uphold the preliminary objection.
Responding on point of law to the preliminary objection filed by Ikwueto without a motion number as practiced by the court, Okonkwo, the layman who appears for himself in court, pointed out that none of the four respondents in the matter filed a memorandum of appearance within the statutory period of 42 days after service.
“Therefore, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants flagrantly breached the mandatory statutory provision in Order 23, Rule 2(1) and Order 4, Rule 1 and 3(4) of the High Court of Anambra State (Civil Procedures) Rules 2019,” he stated.
According to him, belatedly on May 6, 2025, after a period of four months, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants filed a memorandum of conditional appearance without the approval of the Honourable Court first sought and obtained.
He further submitted: “Take notice that there is no provision under the High Court of Anambra State (Civil procedures) Rules 2019, for any purported process styled: ‘Notice of Preliminary Objection’. Instead Order 40 Rules 1, 3(4), provides:
“Where by these rules, any application is authorised to be made by a judge, such application shall be made by motion, which shall be supported by affidavit and shall state under what rule of court or law the application is brought. Every motion shall be served within five days of filing by counsel to counsel, where the parties are represented by legal practitioners. Every such application shall be accompanied by a written address in support of the relief sought.”
He insisted that notice of preliminary objection without affidavit is outside the contemplation of Order 40 Rules 1 and 3(4) of the High Court of Anambra State (Civil Procedures) Rule 2019 and therefore urged the court to hold that the defendants’ notice of preliminary objection is incompetent.
He asked the court to strike out the memorandum of conditional appearance filed by the 1st to 3rd defendants and any other processes filed belatedly on their behalf, not known to the High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules 2019 of Anambra State.
He submitted the following issues for determination: “Whether the Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants process styled “Notice of Preliminary Objection” strange to Order 40 Rule 1 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, in raising issue of locus standi of the Plaintiff, contrary to the decisions: EBONGO vs. UWEMEDIMO (1995)…..
“Whether the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants/Objectors having failed to satisfy a pre-condition by not filing a Counter-Affidavit in opposition to the Originating Summons. The Plaintiff is entitled to judgment in line with the Supreme Court direction in, INAKOJU vs. ADELEKE (2007) ….”
Citing several authorities including Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions, Okonkwo urged the court to resolve the two issues against the defendants, and decree judgment in his favour on the terms in the originating summons, against the defendants, for not following the procedures in the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 of Anambra State, which renders their entire process incompetent.
He contended that a Notice of Preliminary Objection is not interchangeable with a motion on notice, and therefore urged the court to hold that in such circumstance, the defect is fatal to the competence of the trial Court to entertain the preliminary objection.
“It is settled law that there is a duty cast upon Court to ensure compliance with its Rules. The Rules of Court must, prima facie be obeyed. And the Courts have inherent jurisdiction to ensure compliance with the statutory Rules by the litigants.
“Accordingly, the Court can strike out any process not filed in accordance or in compliance with the relevant rules as in the instant case,” the plaintiff stated.
Besides the N10 billion damages, other reliefs sought by the plaintiff in the originating summons include an order of perpetual injunction from the court, restraining the 1st to 3rd defendants, their servants, agents or privies howsoever from issuing or pursuing the recertification/ revalidated exercise contained in Exhibit ‘A’ at any other time both now and in the future, except in consonance with Land Use Act, 1978 or any valid law subject to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
He requested for an order directing the Inspector-General Nigeria Police Force (the 4th defendant) to investigate his co-defendants deployment of Exhibit ‘A’ to commit mega financial fraud on the land owners in Anambra State, recover the sums of monies collected, and upon the citizens, make a demand to the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that a Police investigation report is issued, and the public officers involved, brought before the law to answer for their crime.
The plaintiff prayed the court to order the 1st to 3rd defendants to refund to the Anambra State Land Owners their N25,000.00 recertification tax, illegally levied on them in the State, as the imposition of tax/levy can only be validly levied for breach of the law, whether under civil process or after conviction for an offence.
When the matter was called up on Thursday, Okonkwo told the court that the matter was for mention.
Cyril Eziamaka holding the brief of Chika Ndianefo, announced appearance for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents.
Justice Otti said the matter was coming before her for the first time and ordered that hearing notice should be issued to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, the 4th respondent.
She adjourned the matter to October 30, 2025, for hearing.
Source: Daily Post
The Director of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service, Chief Okwudili Ohaa, has said the swift mobilisation of emergency resources by Governor Peter Mbah led to the rescue of five occupants trapped in a collapsed building in Enugu metropolis.
The uncompleted four-storey building, located along Ogbaru Street, by Alvan Ikokwu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday.
Ohaa told newsmen on Sunday that all five occupants of the building, as confirmed by the security guard on duty, were successfully rescued.
Ohaa
He said four of the occupants were rescued alive and conscious, although they sustained injuries, while the fifth person was rescued unconscious.
Ohaa commended Governor Mbah for his swift mobilisation of emergency response agencies, including the Red Cross, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Ambulance Services, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Other agencies and organisations at the scene included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA) and a Chinese construction company, which provided four heavy-duty cranes.
According to Ohaa, the governor alerted him about the incident early Sunday morning, prompting the immediate mobilisation of officers of the Enugu State Fire and Rescue Service to the scene with extrication equipment.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, must be commended for also mobilising adequate rescue equipment such as heavy-duty cranes, bulldozers and excavators, which ensured the rescue of the five persons,” he said.
Ohaa explained that rescue officers initially relied on information from the security guard to determine how many people were trapped in the building.
“As rescue officers, what we did was to ask the security man how many people were here. He said there were supposed to be six. One person had left before it happened.
“So, we were able at that initial time to rescue four persons. Out of the four, two sustained minor injuries and they were all rushed to a health facility for proper checks,” he said.
The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said the fifth person was eventually recovered unconscious and taken to a health facility by the Enugu State Ambulance Services.
The NEMA Information Officer in Enugu, Mr Nnanyelugo Ezeani, also confirmed that five people were rescued.
He said the situation could have been worse because the state government had earlier sealed the construction site.
“One person among the six residing in the collapsed building was not on the site at the time of the incident, while five others were rescued and taken to the hospital,” Ezeani said.
Speaking on the incident, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), Mr Uche Anya, described the developer as one of those who failed to comply with building regulations.
Anya said the ECTDA had earlier taken regulatory action by sealing the site, which was originally approved in 2021.
“This property was approved in 2021 before the advent of this administration. But usually, we have a habit of stocktaking and checking on every construction at every stage.
“When I personally led the team that inspected here, we found out that there were serious integrity issues and non-compliance with their 2021 approval.
“I personally issued the first ‘stop-work order,’ which, due to the violation, resulted in our sealing the place over the last six months outrightly.
“So, I think within the last 30 to 40 days, the representative of the owner, whom they say lives abroad, has been interfacing with us to remedy the situation. This is the process that we are still trying to interface on, and it came down.”
Anya added that he had handed the owner’s representative over to the police to assist with the investigation.
“This is really a very unfortunate situation,” he said.
A four-storey building under construction in Enugu has collapsed, killing at least one person and trapping several construction workers beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the uncompleted structure, reportedly being developed as a hotel, causing panic among residents and passersby.
According to authorities, six workers were believed to have been sleeping inside the building when it collapsed. Four workers have so far been rescued, while the body of one victim has been recovered.
Authorities said one of the six workers reportedly left the site shortly before the collapse, raising hopes that fewer people may be trapped beneath the debris than initially feared.
The rescued workers were taken to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the police, are participating in the rescue operation.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established, while rescue efforts continue at the scene.
The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to investigate the financial activities and source of wealth of socialite and businessman, Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.
Ogah, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, made the call on Thursday at a press conference in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The lawmaker said the businessman’s financial dealings should be subjected to scrutiny regardless of his public profile.
“I am urging the EFCC to thoroughly investigate him, investigate his bank accounts, investigate all the things he does,” Ogah said.
He also accused Cubana Chief Priest of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s political fortunes in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ogah questioned the socialite’s claim to political influence in Ebonyi State and challenged him to make his membership card of the All Progressives Congress (APC) public.
The lawmaker further criticised recent comments attributed to Cubana Chief Priest on social media in which he reportedly called for the resignation of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru.
Ogah demanded that the comments be withdrawn and followed by an apology, warning that legal action could be taken if the businessman failed to comply.
“Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What is his address that gives him the impetus to speak against our governor, the most performing governor in Nigeria?” he asked.
According to Ogah, Cubana Chief Priest had no electoral mandate to speak on behalf of Ebonyi State or demand the resignation of its elected governor.
He also questioned the businessman’s political influence, noting that he had previously contested an election in Imo State but failed to secure the party’s primary ticket.
Ogah alleges plot against Nwifuru
The lawmaker further alleged that unnamed political actors were sponsoring campaigns aimed at discrediting the Nwifuru administration and weakening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
He defended the state’s security architecture, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor, against what he described as an orchestrated campaign for her removal.
Ogah urged the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant agencies to investigate those behind the alleged campaign and determine whether any law had been breached.
“All of us can attest to the peace and security we enjoy in Ebonyi State. The Army, the police, the Civil Defence and the DSS are doing marvellously well in Ebonyi State,” he said.
Lawmaker accuses Otu of mobilising protesters
Ogah also accused another critic of the state government, Charles Otu, of allegedly mobilising people from outside Ebonyi State to participate in a protest against the government in Abuja.
He claimed that some of those involved were presented as Ebonyians despite allegedly coming from other states.
Ogah said his lawyers had previously petitioned the DSS over allegations involving Otu and urged the agency to investigate the matter.
He also challenged Otu to substantiate allegations he allegedly made against him during an appearance on Arise Television.
“My own is that whosoever defaults the law, we take it legally. I cannot mention who I have not known. But when we get there, it is for the security agencies to investigate,” Ogah said.
Ogah lists Nwifuru’s achievements
Defending the Nwifuru administration, Ogah cited the state government’s scholarship programmes, school construction, road projects and other development initiatives as evidence of the governor’s performance.
He said hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes had benefited from postgraduate scholarships in Nigeria and abroad, while roads and schools were being constructed across the state’s 13 local government areas.
Ogah also praised Nwifuru for what he described as political tolerance, saying opposition parties had been allowed to operate freely in the state.
He argued that the people of Ebonyi should determine their political leadership through the ballot rather than through media campaigns and protests.
“Ebonyi people will choose who is their leader. They should stop using the media to castigate the governor,” he said.
Questions Nwifuru’s omission from Tinubu campaign council
The lawmaker also questioned the reported omission of Governor Nwifuru from President Tinubu’s campaign council, describing it as an error that should be corrected.
“How can a governor that has done much in APC not be included in the campaign council? How can a governor that is elected under the APC not be included?” Ogah queried.
He maintained that Nwifuru’s political influence and the APC’s electoral performance in Ebonyi made him an important stakeholder in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Ogah warned political actors against using the media to destabilise the state and urged all parties to pursue their grievances through legal and democratic channels.
The lawmaker, who is also the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), was accompanied by other members of the group at the press conference.
He reiterated his call for security agencies to investigate the various allegations raised and take appropriate action against anyone found to have violated the law.
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has urged youths in Enugu State to disregard the belief that federal government jobs and other opportunities are already allocated before they are advertised.
FCC Executive Chairman, Hulayât Motunrayo Omidiran, gave the charge on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, during the Peter Eze Enugu Youth Connect 2026.
Omidiran urged the youths to acquire relevant skills, embrace technology and actively pursue legitimate opportunities, stressing that federal character should promote both equity and merit.
She also warned against fraudulent recruitment schemes and advised applicants to authenticate employment opportunities before applying.
The Enugu State Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, challenged young people to prepare themselves for available opportunities.
Onyia said government could create opportunities, but individuals must develop the capacity to take advantage of them.
The FCC Commissioner representing Enugu State, Peter Ogbonna Eze, said the programme was designed to bridge the information gap preventing young people from accessing federal employment, scholarships, grants, fellowships and training opportunities.
Eze said many youths were discouraged from applying for federal jobs because of the misconception that such positions had already been shared among influential individuals.
He urged them to apply whenever legitimate opportunities were advertised, warning that nobody should pay money to secure a federal government job.
He also disclosed that five participants in the programme would be selected for a full scholarship opportunity.
Eze said the initiative would continue as a platform for connecting Enugu youths with credible opportunities and urged participants to become “ambassadors of opportunity” by sharing useful information with others.
The event brought together youths and stakeholders from across Enugu State to discuss federal representation, employment, education, skills development and other opportunities.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
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