News
Controversial Enugu Centenary Land: A Daniel Has Come To Judgement
The Enugu House of Assembly may not have made headlines for sometime, not because the House has not been sitting or performing it’s constitutional functions but the Media may not have seen weighty decisions to guarantee top spots in the news.
However, the recent report on the controversial Centenary City Land which has claimed some lives was a major decision that has attracted the attention of major media houses across the country.
For a controversy that led to several litigations, muscle flexing, behind the scene manoeuvres involving very prominent and powerful individuals, one could have predicted that even the Obeagu and Amaechi Communities must have had doubts if the Assembly would be able to treat their matter without fear or favour.
But the Assembly came out smoking; delivering a shocking report that can only be described as transparent.
The report of the Special Committee on
Land Matters/Dispute has continued to receive wide commendations across the country.
And the media cannot help but document this landmark report at a time the common man was losing fate in the system.
The Issues At Stake
The petition from Obeagu and Amechi Communities alleged that a private firm, Private Estates International West Africa(PEIWA) used intimidation, harassment, malicious demolition of buildings in order to forcefully takeover their ancestral land despite pending suits in court.
It all started sometime in 1982, when former Governor of Old Anambra State Dr. Jim Nwobodo, a native of Amechi Awkunanaw proposed to site a university within his home community.
He commissioned for Survey works pursuant to the proposed acquisition of an estimated 318.560 hectares of land in certain kindred families in Amechi Uwani and the Obeagu Awkunanaw Community.
Preliminary Survey was done and endorsed by the then Surveyor General, M.U.C Obi dated March 8, 1982 with Tracing No: MISC AN-53 for 318.560 hectares.
However, Jim Nwobodo left office in 1983 and was unable to complete the acquisition and the project.
But a certain Private company, Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), entered the land sometime in 2009 in the name of a New Township Development Joint venture with the Government and began to clear the land for the proposed development.
The promoters of the new project allegedly extended the land from 318.560 to over 1097 hectares of their ancestral lands partly belonging to AmechiUwani and the other part to Obeagu Awkunanaw.
While the survey sketch for the proposed Anambra State University of Technology was registered as TRACING NO: MISC AN-53, signed by the then Surveyor General, M.U.C Obi and dated March 8, 1982, a new Survey Plan was purportedly re-scripted to bear PLAN No: EN (A) 594 in favour of the Enugu State University of Technology in 1985 and expanded to 1097 hectares.
PEIWA’s Submissions
Responding to issues raised by the communities, PEIWA said they did not participate in the acquisition of the 1,097.128 hectares of land in 1986.
That on 18/5/2009, they entered into agreement with Enugu State Government named” New Township Development Agreement” (NTDA) to develop a model city on the 1,097.128 hectares in Amechi/Obeagu Communities covered by C of O dated 1/1/2009.
That sequel to the above mentioned agreement, the State Government relinquished to PEIWA the said 1,097.128 hectares of land.
That they took full possession of the land in accordance with the provisions as stipulated in New Township Development Agreement.
Committee Findings
In its findings the Assembly Committee noted that PEIWA was unable to prove that the process of acquisition was served on Obeagu/Amechi Communities as required under the Land Use Act.
The Assembly picked holes in the documents of acquisition of the said 1097 hectares with respect to the Survey plan, official gazette and some correspondences such as:
(i) The survey plan dated 1985 and it read “survey plan for the permanent site of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, which is obviously dubious because Enugu State had not be created in 1985.The State was created in 1991 and Enugu State University of Science and Technology established thereafter.
(i) That Surveyor Igboanugo the acting Surveyor General of Anambra State in 1983 who eventually retired voluntarily in 1984 was said to have signed the survey plan in 1986 which is untrue because he could not have signed the
survey plan as Surveyor General of Anambra State two years after he had left office.
(iii) That the aforementioned official gazette was purported to have been signed in 1986 on behalf of Navy Captain Alison Madueke as the Military Governor of Anambra State when in fact Navy Captain Allison Madueke was not the Military Governor of Anambra Sate at that time.
(iv) The said correspondences supposedly signed by Chief Gabriel Ezeoha Ogbodo on behalf of Obeagu Community in his capacity as the Igwe of Obeagu were forged because he
was not the Igwe of Obeagu in 1986. He was deposed as Igwe of Obeagu long before 1986.
(v) The correspondences purportedly signed by Chief V.V. Chukwuegbo on behalf of Amechi community were also forged. Chief V.V. Chukwuegbo was not the Igwe of Amechi at that time, neither was he the regent. HRH Moses Ogbodo was Igwe of Amechi then.
(vi) That the former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Jim Nwobodo in Vanguard Newspaper publication of 4th March, 2020, stated that any acquisition or certificate of occupancy over the land made and or predicated on the Anambra State of Nigeria official gazette No.12 Volume II of 27th March, 1986 and the purported 1985 Enugu State University of Science and Technology (plan EN(A)594)when Enugu State was not in
existence is invalid.
That Obeagu/Amechi Communities proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were not carried along in the acquisition process.
That this matter cannot be peaceably resolved by litigation rather through mediation addressing those issues highlighted by the host Communities for a lasting peace both to the investors (including all other developers and persons affiliated to or who derive titles from the host communities)and the host Communities as well.
The Committee accused PEIWA of deliberately withholding information as it concerned fulfilling their financial obligations as stipulated in the New Township Development Agreement, hence, their blatant refusal to submit to the Committee the evidence of payment to the State Government.
That Amechi and Obeagu Communities have not been compensated for the purported acquisition of their ancestral land.
That about 80% of the land is currently encumbered as the communities have sold to several developers who have in turn sold to third parties who are bonafide purchasers without any notice.
That this dispute and numerous litigations are negatively impacting on various meaningful ventures intended for the area, the image of the state is also affected as if it harbours an unfriendly business environment, and in all these, none of those involved, including the communities are better-off either.
Recommendations
The Committee urged the State Government, to, as a matter of urgency set up a high powered mediation panel for possible and amicable resolution of the matter.
That all parties should embrace dialogue and compromise as the only veritable means to peaceably resolve the issue for a lasting peace.
That a mechanism should be put in place to expedite action on the immediate payment of commensurate compensation to the Obeagu and Amechi Communities in respect of the portion of land already developed by PEIWA.
That Enugu State Government should urgently consider entering into partnership with the host communities instead, since the agreement entered with PEIWA touching or involving the entire hectares of land(1,097 hectares), belonging to the host communities without evidence of government acquisition, has created unimaginable complexities and the present hydra headed situation.
That Enugu State Government should call for Audit of all the Lands developed by PEIWA in order to ascertain the exact portion of land under PEIWA’s occupation and its indebtedness to the State Government.
Yes, A Daniel Has Come to Judgement and the masses must be celebrating that they have such a legislature that can be relied upon in cases such as this.
Observers have also stressed the need for the Assembly to followup on the recommendations to see to it’s logical implementation as some very powerful individuals may want to obstruct the course of justice.
This is a test case, and the integrity and resolve of the Enugu House of Assembly is on trial.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions—a landmark move to enhance the country’s security architecture and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on (Information & Strategy) Bayo Onanuga says, “this approval underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.”According to the statement, “the expansion builds on the Administration’s sustained investments in the Armed Forces, including approval for the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel, acquisition of critical military platforms and equipment, improvements in troop welfare, and ongoing support for operational readiness and force modernisation.”Under the new structure, the Nigerian Army will operate twelve divisions, strategically positioned across the country as follows:1. 1 Division Headquarters – Kaduna (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States)2. 2 Division Headquarters – Ibadan (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States)3. 3 Division Headquarters – Jos (Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States)4. 5 Division Headquarters – Makurdi (Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States)5. 6 Division Headquarters – Port Harcourt (Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States)6. 7 Division Headquarters – Maiduguri (Borno and Yobe States)7. 8 Division Headquarters – Sokoto (Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States)8. 9 Division Headquarters – Ilorin (Kwara and Niger States)9. 10 Division Headquarters – Jalingo (Taraba and Adamawa States)10. 81 Division Headquarters – Lagos (Lagos and Ogun States)11. 82 Division Headquarters – Enugu (Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States)12. 83 Division Headquarters – Benin City (Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States).The establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases.
The Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF) worldwide, a pan-Igbo socioeconomic pressure group, has urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to supply Dangote Petroleum Refinery adequate crude.
The Chairman of NUF, Chief Augustine Chukwudum, made the call on Wednesday in Enugu while reacting to Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s move to start direct sales of refined Petroleum products in dollars.
It would be recalled that a top management official of the Dangote Group said that its refinery was receiving just four million barrels of crude oil monthly under the arrangement, instead of about 13 million barrels envisaged after President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 directive.
The refinery had attributed its decision to switch from naira-denominated fuel sales domestically to dollar transactions to the crude supply shortfall, saying it would also increase exports of refined petroleum products to earn foreign exchange.
Chukwudum called on the Federal Government to intervene urgently before things get out of hand and Nigerians suffer the more.
According to him, fuel price remains major determinant of prices of other commodities and services in the country as transport cost depends on.
“Things are bound to get worst if the Federal Government neglect to take immediate and decisive actions meant to better the life of the citizens.
“NUF is rasing this alarm because this administration is behaving as if they are not answerable to the people their are supposed to be serving.
“The Federal Government should direct NNPCL to supply all the crude oil needed by Dangote Refinery since the company has the capacity to meet local or domestic petroleum needs of the country.
“The government must stop all forms of fuel importation because that money been used for importation is a waste and put a pressure on our fragile foreign reserve as a nation,” he said.
The NUF boss noted that the refinery company must be allowed to pay in naira with this move, suffering of citizens would be curtailed.
Chukwudum also reiterated the call of the group for the Federal Government to set up judicial panel of inquiry to look into the account of NNPCL for some years now.
A commotion reportedly erupted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State after some officials were accused of demanding ₦2,000 from applicants before processing voter registration and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The allegation surfaced in a video circulating on social media, which showed what appeared to be a heated confrontation between applicants and officials at the electoral commission’s office.
According to a resident who narrated the incident in the video, some INEC officials allegedly insisted that applicants pay ₦2,000 before their voter registration or PVC processing could be completed.
The situation reportedly escalated when one of the applicants challenged the alleged demand, insisting that voter registration and PVC-related services are free and should not attract any payment.
The applicant was said to have confronted the officials and attempted to record the exchange with a mobile phone, triggering a heated argument that attracted other applicants and bystanders.
Although raised voices and a commotion could be heard in the footage, the circumstances surrounding the incident could not be independently verified.
The video has since sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the alleged extortion and calling on INEC to investigate the incident and sanction anyone found culpable.
INEC has consistently maintained that voter registration services are free of charge. These include fresh registration, collection of PVCs, transfer of voter information, correction of personal details, and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
The commission has also repeatedly urged members of the public to report any cases of extortion, bribery or illegal charges involving its permanent or ad hoc staff during voter registration and PVC distribution.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not issued an official statement specifically addressing the allegations involving its Onitsha South Local Government Area office.
The incident comes as the electoral commission continues its nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC has also introduced an online self-service platform to enable prospective voters and existing registrants to complete several registration-related processes conveniently, while reiterating that voter registration services remain free of charge.
MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has restored power supply to parts of Enugu metropolis, which witnessed darkness.
Some parts of Enugu metropolis, under the Band A tariff regime, during the weekend witnessed three consecutive days of blackout.
The Head, Communications of MainPower, Mr Emeka Ezeh, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Enugu.
According to him, MainPower wishes to inform its esteemed customers that power supply to the Gariki Injection Substation was successfully restored on Monday, July 20, at about 8:30p.m.
“This is following the successful resolution of a major fault involving the indoor 11kV breaker at the station.
“The fault, which occurred on Friday, July 17, affected electricity supply to customers served by the Army and Gariki 11kV feeders.
“Consequently, normal electricity supply has now been restored to all affected areas,” he said.
Ezeh appreciated residents and customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation throughout the outage.
He noted that the company remained committed to delivering safe, reliable, and improved electricity services to its customers and residents of the state.
It would be recalled that MainPower, which is a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), is in-charge of electricity distribution in Enugu State.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Four herders and several cattle were killed on Tuesday when suspected gunmen attacked a cattle camp in Ifite Awka Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The incident has sparked concern in Awka, the state capital, as the attackers reportedly invaded the settlement and opened fire on the herders before fleeing the scene.
The attack has also prompted the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to appeal for calm among its members, expressing confidence that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice.
In a statement, the National Deputy Director-General of MACBAN, Gidado Siddiki, said the four deceased herders were members of the same family.
According to him, the incident occurred at the cattle camp of Alhaji Aminu Mohammed on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
He said, “According to reports, unknown armed assailants invaded the cattle camp while the herders were peacefully engaged in their legitimate cattle-rearing activities.
“The attackers opened fire sporadically, resulting in the deaths of four herders, namely Mohammed Bujumi, Hassan Bujumi, Abubakar Bujumi and Sani Bujumi.
“Several cattle were also killed during the attack, while the assailants reportedly fled with some of the cattle carcasses towards the nearby Mgbakwu Community.”
Siddiki added that another herder, identified as Usman Iliyasu, narrowly escaped the attack.
MACBAN condemned the incident as “heinous and senseless,” calling on security agencies to immediately investigate the attack, apprehend those responsible and prosecute them.
The association also urged the Anambra State Government to take urgent steps to strengthen security and protect the lives and property of residents.
While appreciating the prompt intervention of the Joint Task Force and the state government in recovering the bodies of the victims, Siddiki appealed to MACBAN members to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“We urge everyone to cooperate fully with the security agencies and allow the government to carry out the necessary investigations and take appropriate action to ensure justice is served,” he said.
Confirming the attack, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a police-led joint security team responded to the scene following a distress call.
He said the operatives discovered the bodies of four male victims who had suffered fatal injuries.
“Preliminary observations revealed that the victims had their hands tied and sustained multiple injuries, including machete cuts and blunt force trauma. Also, two residential huts within the settlement were set ablaze during the attack,” Ikenga said.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that four dead cows were found within the vicinity, while two other cattle had been slaughtered, with portions of their meat removed.
He added that security operatives recovered sacks containing abandoned chunks of meat a short distance from the scene.
According to Ikenga, preliminary findings indicated that the attackers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, double-barrel guns and machetes.
He said one survivor escaped unharmed and was assisting the police-led joint security team with useful information that could aid the investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
The Command said further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.
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