Ex-Anambra Assembly Majority Leader Sues Oraifite PG Over Alleged Suspension Of Development Approvals, Rule Of Law Violation

By Our Reporter

A former Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Humphrey Nsofor, has filed a lawsuit at the High Court of Anambra State, Nnewi Judicial Division, seeking judicial intervention over the alleged unlawful suspension of development approvals in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, by the Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU) President-General, Mr Vincent Dike.

In a suit marked HN/409/2025, Nsofor is challenging a public announcement allegedly issued on September 18, 2025, by Dike, which purportedly suspended approvals for new commercial development projects in Oraifite pending the formulation of an “Oraifite Land Use Policy.”

According to Nsofor’s court filings, the announcement also allegedly suggested that the Anambra State Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning had been urged to halt statutory approvals in line with the directive.

Nsofor, through his lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, contended that no town union, communal association, or its president-general has the constitutional or statutory authority to regulate land use or suspend development approvals in Anambra State.

He argued that such powers are vested exclusively in the state government under the Land Use Act and relevant state laws, acting through the Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning and other statutory agencies.

Nsofor said he is the lawful owner of land at his ancestral home in Oraifite, part of which is earmarked for legitimate commercial development, and that he had already commenced lawful processes to obtain statutory approvals before the disputed announcement was made.

He further alleged that the announcement had led to contractors halting work, financiers reviewing or withdrawing funding commitments, and investors and residents being plunged into uncertainty.

Nsofor described these developments as direct consequences of what he termed an unlawful and ultra vires proclamation.

In the suit, Nsofor claimed that the alleged suspension amounts to forceful occupation, unlawful control, and unauthorised alienation of communal and private land, in violation of property rights guaranteed under Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Among the reliefs sought, Nsofor prayed the court to declare that Dike lacks the authority to suspend or interfere with statutory planning approvals, and that any such directive is unconstitutional, null, and void.

He also prayed the court for perpetual and mandatory injunctions restraining the defendant from further interference in land use and development matters, and compelling him to withdraw and publicly disclaim the announcement.

Nsofor further urged the court to order, where applicable, that the Anambra State Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning resume and conclude the processing of all valid development applications without interference.
In addition, he is claiming ₦200 million in general damages for alleged economic losses and disruption of lawful commercial activities, ₦50 million in exemplary damages, and ₦30 million as the cost of the action.

Court documents indicate that Dike has been served with the writ of summons and is required to enter an appearance within 42 days, failing which the court may proceed in his absence.

Nsofor said the suit is a principled effort to protect the rights of landowners, developers, and investors in Oraifite.
He reaffirmed the supremacy of the rule of law over what he described as arbitrary and unauthorised communal actions.

Ex-Anambra Assembly Majority Leader Sues Oraifite Improvement Union President’s Alleged Suspension Of Development Approvals, Rule Of Law Violation

A former Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Humphrey Nsofor, has filed a lawsuit at the High Court of Anambra State, Nnewi Judicial Division, seeking judicial intervention over the alleged unlawful suspension of development approvals in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state, by the Oraifite Improvement Union (OIU) President-General, Mr Vincent Dike.
In a suit marked HN/409/2025, Nsofor is challenging a public announcement allegedly issued on September 18, 2025, by Dike, which purportedly suspended approvals for new commercial development projects in Oraifite pending the formulation of an “Oraifite Land Use Policy.”
According to Nsofor’s court filings, the announcement also allegedly suggested that the Anambra State Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning had been urged to halt statutory approvals in line with the directive.
Nsofor, through his lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, contended that no town union, communal association, or its president-general has the constitutional or statutory authority to regulate land use or suspend development approvals in Anambra State.
He argued that such powers are vested exclusively in the state government under the Land Use Act and relevant state laws, acting through the Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning and other statutory agencies.
Nsofor said he is the lawful owner of land at his ancestral home in Oraifite, part of which is earmarked for legitimate commercial development, and that he had already commenced lawful processes to obtain statutory approvals before the disputed announcement was made.
He further alleged that the announcement had led to contractors halting work, financiers reviewing or withdrawing funding commitments, and investors and residents being plunged into uncertainty.
Nsofor described these developments as direct consequences of what he termed an unlawful and ultra vires proclamation.
In the suit, Nsofor claimed that the alleged suspension amounts to forceful occupation, unlawful control, and unauthorised alienation of communal and private land, in violation of property rights guaranteed under Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Among the reliefs sought, Nsofor prayed the court to declare that Dike lacks the authority to suspend or interfere with statutory planning approvals, and that any such directive is unconstitutional, null, and void.
He also prayed the court for perpetual and mandatory injunctions restraining the defendant from further interference in land use and development matters, and compelling him to withdraw and publicly disclaim the announcement.
Nsofor further urged the court to order, where applicable, that the Anambra State Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning resume and conclude the processing of all valid development applications without interference.
In addition, he is claiming ₦200 million in general damages for alleged economic losses and disruption of lawful commercial activities, ₦50 million in exemplary damages, and ₦30 million as the cost of the action.
Court documents indicate that Dike has been served with the writ of summons and is required to enter an appearance within 42 days, failing which the court may proceed in his absence.
Nsofor said the suit is a principled effort to protect the rights of landowners, developers, and investors in Oraifite.
He reaffirmed the supremacy of the rule of law over what he described as arbitrary and unauthorised communal actions.