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Enugu: Obeagu Community Petitions IGP, Kicks Against Enforcement of Disputed Consent Judgment
The people of Obeagu Awkunanaw in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging him to reject a request by officials of Private Estate International West Africa (PEIWA) for police protection over the enforcement of a contentious consent judgment in Suit No. E/1081/2019.
In the petition dated July 1, 2025, the community, speaking “for ourselves and on behalf of the entire people of Obeagu Awkunanaw,” described PEIWA’s application for police protection as one “made in bad faith, suppression of facts and therefore calculated to deceive.”
They warned the police hierarchy to “discountenance the said request,” insisting it was intended to “render our pending applications nugatory and foist a situation of helplessness on the court.”
Giving historical context, the community recalled that the land dispute dates back to the early 1980s when the then governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, earmarked 318.560 hectares of land in the area for the siting of a university.
They noted that “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, the project was abandoned after the end of Nwobodo’s administration in 1983.
The community alleged that in 2009, PEIWA moved into the land “in the name of a New Township Development Joint Venture with the Enugu State Government and began to destroy with heavy machinery all economic trees and habitation that lay in the path of their proposed development.”
They accused the company of annexing far more land than was originally acquired. “While purporting to take over the 318.560Ha earlier earmarked for the University by Senator Jim Nwobodo, [they] stealthily annexed a total of 1,097 hectares of ancestral lands partly belonging to Amechi Uwani and the other part to us, the Obeagu Awkunanaw community.”
The petition described how the original survey was “dishonestly and fraudulently re-scripted to bear PLAN No: EN (A) 594 in favour of the Enugu State University of Technology in 1985 and expanded it to 1097 hectares.”
Raising questions over the authenticity of this plan, they asked: “How come that Enugu State that was created in 1991 could acquire a land and have a Survey Plan in the name and form of Enugu State University of Technology pre-1991?” They further queried, “Why would the Plan number supposedly approved in 1985 bear initials of ‘EN’ being a state that was yet to be created as at 1985?”
They also questioned Gazette No. 12 of March 27, 1986, said to have revoked the communities’ customary rights of occupancy. “Navy Captain Allison Amaechina Madueke was not the Governor of Anambra State by March of 1986.
“Samson Omeruah was Governor from August 1985 till sometime in December 1987. Therefore, Navy Captain Allison Amaechina Madueke could not have issued a directive to publish a gazette and/or Yellow Paper in a state not under his administration.”
The community stated that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) issued to PEIWA was revoked in 2019 by the Enugu State Government through then Commissioner for Lands, Surv. Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam. “This revocation was published in the Daily Sun Newspapers of 29th November, 2019,” they wrote.
They explained that when PEIWA sued the Enugu State Government, “representatives of our community filed a joinder to the suit, as it was obvious that any judgement in the suit will affect our interests.”
However, they were “shocked” to discover that PEIWA had “procured this Consent Judgment while our application for joinder was still pending.”
The petition also noted that on June 23, 2025, the court “dismissed” PEIWA’s preliminary objection and ruled that the pending applications, including that of the Obeagu community, could now proceed.
The community said: “We are therefore appalled that the officials of PEIWA, despite their knowledge of the status of this case, will push for the execution of the consent judgment knowing full well that doing so will overreach our pending applications for joinder and the other challenging the Consent Judgment itself.”
Describing PEIWA’s application for police protection as “the height of deception and fraud,” they said: “It is the trite position of the law that parties must be patient and await the final decision of the court in respect of every matter submitted before the court.”
The community informed the IGP that PEIWA and two of its officials are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Enugu over alleged forgeries related to the disputed land. “Please find a copy of Charge Number FHC/EN/CR/84/2025, IGP V. KINGSLEY EZE & 2ORS as attached hereto,” the petition added.
They also cited the Enugu State House of Assembly’s Special Committee on Land Matters/Disputes which adopted a report on December 19, 2024, critical of PEIWA’s activities. “The Report was emphatic with regards to the various underhand actions of the company against us and against the overall interest of Enugu State.”
The petition concluded with a call for restraint: “It is our prayer that you refuse the request for the interest of justice, and to direct the Enugu state command not to honour or heed to such request at all.”
They urged the police not to take a “hasty decision that will not accord with best practices, and with the rule of law.”
Efforts to reach PEIWA officials for comments proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
News
Stakeholders, Firm Seek Reforms to Boost Professionalism,
By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate industry, alongside Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, have called for urgent reforms to strengthen professionalism, transparency, and investor confidence in the sector.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday in Enugu following the company’s 2026 Mid-Year Seminar/Luncheon, held on Friday, July 3, at Wendy’s Place. The seminar, themed “Next-Level Real Estate Practices,” brought together real estate developers, chief executive officers, realtors, marketers, investors, and other stakeholders from the South-East to examine emerging industry trends, challenges, and practical strategies for sustainable growth.
According to the communiqué, participants unanimously adopted several resolutions after extensive deliberations.
Among the key resolutions was a call for stronger government action against the multiple sale of land. Participants urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to strengthen land administration policies and impose stringent sanctions on communities and individuals involved in the fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers.
They noted that such practices continue to erode investor confidence, fuel land-related litigation, and discourage genuine investment in the real estate sector.
The stakeholders also stressed the need to promote professionalism and healthy competition within the industry. They maintained that competition should be driven by integrity, innovation, quality service delivery, and professionalism rather than unhealthy rivalry, misinformation, or actions capable of damaging the reputation of fellow practitioners.
They further encouraged industry leaders to embrace collaboration as a means of promoting collective growth and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
The communiqué also emphasised the importance of honesty and transparency in dealings with clients. Participants urged real estate practitioners to refrain from making false claims, exaggerating property values, misrepresenting estate locations or approvals, or giving unrealistic assurances merely to secure transactions.
They insisted that prospective buyers should be provided with accurate, verifiable, and complete information before making investment decisions.
On service delivery, the seminar called on real estate developers and chief executives to establish effective internal controls to eliminate the overselling or double allocation of plots. Developers were also urged to ensure prompt allocation of purchased lands and timely issuance of all necessary documentation.
According to the communiqué, efficient service delivery is critical to sustaining customer trust and improving the credibility of the industry.
The participants also called on government agencies, industry regulators, professional bodies, community leaders, developers, and practitioners to work together in building a transparent, accountable, and investment-friendly real estate environment that protects property buyers and supports sustainable national development.
Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical business practices, professional excellence, continuous capacity development, and responsible real estate investment in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Damian Ogudike and Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, directors of Golden Land Estate Ventures Limited, on behalf of the company’s board. It was also drafted and endorsed by the seminar’s resource persons, Mrs. Amaka Dim of Exotic Landlady Estate and Miss Blessing Anene of BuildWise Solution Centre Estate.
News
Families Homeless as Fire Razes Two-Storey Building in Enugu (Video)
By Our Correspondent
ENUGU — Two families were left homeless on Saturday after a fire destroyed two flats in a two-storey building located at No. 22 Church Road, Asata, in Enugu metropolis.
The fire, which started at about 10 a.m., reportedly broke out after the occupants of the affected upper-floor flats had left for their daily activities.
Although the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, eyewitnesses said the inferno completely destroyed household items and other valuables in the affected apartments.
One of the victims, who returned home while the building was engulfed in flames, reportedly collapsed after seeing the extent of the damage. He was revived by sympathisers at the scene.
The victim, said to be an employee of one of the higher institutions in Enugu State and nearing retirement, lamented that years of hard work had been wiped out by the incident.
According to him, the fire destroyed all his household property, including important documents and certificates, leaving him with no option but to relocate his family to his ancestral home.
“All I have worked for all these years is gone,” he said in tears.
No life was lost in the incident, but residents appealed to the Enugu State Government, emergency management agencies and public-spirited individuals to come to the aid of the affected families, even as they urged the authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.
See video
News
Nigeria students issue 4-day ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the apex students governing body, has issued a four days ultimatum to South African business interests to evacuate Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu by Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor, NANS National Executive Director, Cooperate and Private Sectors Engagement.
The statement said that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face full wrath of the over 43.1 million Nigerian students scattered in the nooks and crannies of the country.
“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.
“As the biggest students body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The reason for this action is simple. South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” it said.
The statement further noted that immediately after expiration of the ultimatum, NANS will consider picketing South Africa business interests, while further actions will follow.”
It called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to take more decisive actions against South Africa for their inimical acts towards other Africans.
“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” it added.
It would be recalled that xenophobic attack by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some gruesomely murdered.
Several Nigeria business interests and business premises, owned by law abiding Nigerians in South Africa, had been completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans without any justification.
The alleged perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians, who are willing to leave the unfriendly country and her people, free of charge back to Nigeria.
However, some of those, who returned to Nigeria recently, left South Africa barely with the cloth they put on, losing savings, valuables and businesses they set up or acquired after many years.
News
Man Missing Since 2007 Found Alive After Spending 18 Years in Prison Without Trial
A man identified as Gospel Uebari Kinanee, who disappeared in 2007 at the age of 14, has been found alive after spending 18 years in detention at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre.
According to reports, Gospel was allegedly taken into custody by suspected security operatives and detained without trial, formal charges, or any case file.
Before his disappearance, he had gone out to play near his home in Ogoni, Rivers State, in 2007 and never returned. His family launched an extensive search, visiting police stations, mortuaries, and even the same correctional facility where he was unknowingly being held. Unable to cope with the uncertainty and anguish, both of his parents reportedly died during the years-long search.
His family and advocates were unable to locate him because he had been wrongly registered by the correctional facility under the name “Baridi Sunday” instead of his real name, Gospel Uebari Kinanee.
His ordeal came to light during a prison outreach programme conducted by the Haven360 Foundation, where he was identified as one of several “ghost prisoners”—individuals detained without proper legal documentation.
Gospel was subsequently released by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, during a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting correctional facilities.
Now in his 30s, Gospel is reportedly battling severe mental and psychological health challenges following his prolonged detention.
His family is pursuing a ₦10 billion lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Rivers State Government, seeking justice and compensation for his alleged unlawful detention.
News
18 LG Chairmen, 22 Exco Members, 28 Aspirants Shun “Kangaroo Grand Entry,” Pledge Loyalty to Anosike
In a fresh show of solidarity within the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sixteen Local Government Chairmen, twenty-two State Executive Committee members, and twenty-eight aspirants across the state have distanced themselves from what they described as a “kangaroo grand entry,” reaffirming their allegiance to the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.
The mass show of support comes amid lingering tension in the party following a controversial court process that had sought to challenge Anosike’s leadership , a move the state APC executive had earlier dismissed as a “kangaroo judgment” lacking the backing of genuine party stakeholders.
Sources within the party say the boycotted event, tagged a “Grand Entry,” was organized by a faction opposed to the current leadership, apparently in an attempt to project an alternative structure and challenge the legitimacy of Anosike’s executive. However, the near-total absence of substantive party officials at the event has been read by observers as a clear indication that the rival faction lacks the grassroots backing it claims to have.
In separate statements, the affected chairmen, exco members, and aspirants said their decision to stay away was a deliberate stand against what they called an orchestrated distraction targeted at the “constitutionally recognized” leadership of the party in the state. They restated their commitment to the Anosike-led executive, insisting that the chairman and his team remain the only legitimate authority running the affairs of the APC in Anambra.
Party loyalists argue that the scale of the boycott — spanning local government administration, the state working committee, and aspiring candidates — sends a strong signal about where the balance of support lies within the party’s grassroots structure. They maintain that any parallel structure or gathering outside the recognized leadership amounts to a distraction that will not derail the party’s preparations for the National Assembly, State Assembly, and local government polls.
As of press time, the organizers of the “Grand Entry” have yet to respond publicly to the mass boycott, while the Anosike-led executive is expected to address the development formally in the coming days.
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