Rights Group Forecasts Anarchy in Anambra Community, Sues for Govt. Intervention

 From Divine Nweke, Onitsha

A human rights group, Oppressed Voice Int’l, has expressed concern about an impending catastrophe that may befall Oba Community, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. This crisis arises, according to sources, as a result of a conflict between property developers and the indigenous residents of Okuzu Akanato Oba.

Reports available to *Starpost* Newspaper indicate that youths, purportedly acting on the instructions of the Igwe-elect, Engr. Sir A. C. Emelobe, are planning to forcefully evict all landowners within the Ilaro/Akamili Estate in Oba. These landowners, it was gathered, legitimately acquired their properties from the indigenes of Okuzu Akanato.

It was also gathered that some have built homes/houses and are residing there, others use their land for commercial purposes, while some are yet to develop theirs. However, it is alleged that the traditional ruler-elect intends to convert the developers’ legitimately purchased lands for his personal use

Expressing serious concern about the alarming situation, the human rights group warned of imminent potential chaos and lawlessness if not nipped in the bud. This alert follows reports indicating that youths from Okuzu Akanato are allegedly intimidating and harassing individuals who legitimately acquired lands over a decade ago. OVI urges the relevant authorities to intervene and resolve this issue.

The human rights organization stated that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the youths of Okuzu Akanato, comprising of Okuzu Mbana, Okuzu Umuezegbogu and Okuzu Umezeopkala voluntarily sold land parcels in the Ilaro/Akamili Estate, Oba. Subsequently, the purchasers found themselves embroiled in an internal conflict between the community’s younger and the elders. These disputes between the buyers and the original landowners resulted in a suspension of construction activities in the estate in 2020 until a mutually agreeable solution was reached.

Reports indicate that youths from Okuzu Akanato, made up of Okuzu Mbana, Okuzu Umuezegbogu, and Okuzu Umezeopkala, are claiming that the Igwe-Elect of Oba Community, Engr. Sir A.C. Emelobe, orchestrated the demolition of buildings on the Ilora/Akamili land in 2020.

But in order to ensure a peaceful resolution and protect their investments, property owners were allegedly coerced by the Okuzu Akanato youths and their elders into paying ₦200,000.00 per plot. According to sources, this money was purportedly intended to compensate members of the Okuzu Akanato community who did not benefit from the land sales.

Oppressed Voice Int’l, a human rights organization, through its Coordinating Secretary, Comrade Chinwe Ezedigbo, has reported that Okuzu Akanato youths are threatening to demolish structures on land purchased by unsuspecting buyers in Oba Community, Idemili South Local Government Area. The organization said they are worried that executing these threats would result in a second demolition on the land.

The organization alleges that these Okuzu Akanato natives, already accused of extorting millions of Naira from developers under the guise of legitimate land transactions, are treating their victims as “Automatic Transaction Machines” (ATMs). They believe that these alleged actions, specifically the threat of further illegal demolitions, are inciting anarchy and chaos.

Oppressed Voice Int’l further reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the property rights of these landowners and has stated its intention to pursue legal action through appropriate channels if further demolitions occur on the estate. They assert that they represent all individuals who have invested in the land.

The organization is appealing to the newly elected traditional ruler, His Majesty, Igwe Engr. Sir A. C. Emelobe, Eze Okpoko 11, Igwe Oba, to intervene in the matter. They urge him to instruct his subjects to cease all destructive actions and to revoke the stop-work orders currently displayed on both developed and undeveloped properties within the Ilaro/Akamili Estate in Oba, all in the interest of maintaining peace within the Oba Community.

A rights group has voiced serious concerns regarding a potential crisis brewing in Oba between property developers and the indigenes of Okuzu Akanato. They allege that youths, supposedly acting under the instructions of the Igwe-elect, Engr. Sir A. C. Emelobe, are planning to displace all individuals who purchased land within the Ilaro/Akamili Estate in Oba, allegedly to facilitate the construction of the Igwe-elect’s private project.

When contacted on his mobile phone, the Igwe-elect, Engineer Sir A. C. Emelobe, addressed the concerns raised by the human rights group. He stated that, despite being only a few months on his Throne, he had already formed a Peace Committee. This committee is responsible for resolving disputes and re-establishing peace within his kingdom. He also stressed that he has not been involved in any land disagreements or unauthorized property sales within the Oba Community.

Upon reaching him via mobile phone, the Igwe-elect, Engineer Sir A. C. Emelobe, responded to the concerns voiced by the human rights group. He explained that, although he had only been on the throne for a few months, he had already established a Peace Committee. This committee’s purpose is to mediate disputes and restore peace throughout his kingdom.

Furthermore, he emphasized his lack of involvement in any land disputes or unauthorized property transactions within the Oba Community.