Land dispute in Imo state between Eziama Obiator and Awo Omemma: Shame on Reps Member Nwawuba, House member Onyekanma

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

The age long peaceful co-existence between neighbouring communities of Obabor Nkwokwu village in Eziama Obiator autonomous community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and Umueme Awo Omemma in Oru East Council area all in Imo State have grown sour following a land dispute as both communities are now spoiling for war.

Since December last year till date both communities have murdered sleep based on series of persistent inter communal attacks and counter attacks. Moreso, fear, suspense, rumours and blackmail have become their daily bread of sorrows as many have abandoned their ancestral homes.Ironically, the battle is not only physical but spiritually traditional.

Trouble just started as the rich but massive disputed land which situates on the Southern Area of Njaba River and in Obabor Nkwokwu village along Owerri Onitsha Express road, Eziama Obiator having been a product of decades of litigations.

The land dispute in two Imo state communities is already a shame to Hon Henry Nwawuba, Member representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency and
Hon. Okey Onyekanma, the law maker representing Mbaitolu State Constituency in Imo state House of Assembly. It’s something they would have used their good offices to settle but while Hon Nwawuba claims no knowledge of the crisis even when delegations and letters have been sent to him allegedly by Eziama Obiato people, Hon Onyekanma said he has done his best. If something urgent is not done,soon killing and maiming will suffice on both sides.

Already, HRH Eze Dennis Nwaba of Eziama Obiato with his subjects met with their local government area Chairman, traditional rulers (Ndi Eze) from Orlu Zone and that of Owerre zone as well as the Deputy Governor of Imo state appealing for peace and amicable resolution of the crisis. Even, their lawyer, Mike Ahamba, SAN had petitioned the supreme court for the action on the land in a case before it:
Supreme Court Appeal No SC/186/2007.

They have petitioned the Governor , Chief Hope Uzodimma and other relevant offices like IGP on the near war situation.

www.odogwublog.com reports that last December, Eziama Obiator people accused Awo Omamma people of forcefully entering the land by clearing the bushes and cutting down economic trees despite the matter still being in court.

This prompted Eziama Obiato people to quickly issue Caveat Emptor that read thus: The attention of Obabor Nkwokwu Village of Eziama Obiato in Mbaitoli LOcal Government Area of Imo
State has been drawn to a publication through sign post captioned “NOW SELLING: ALA OFE GARDEN CITY, AWO-OMEMMA”, mounted at a piece of and situate at the southern Area of Njaba River (Obabor Nkwokwu Village Land) along Owerri-Onitsha Express Road, Obabor Nkwokwu Village, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State calling for buyers to the sale of the pieces or parcels of land therein. This publication was made by unidentified land grabbers.The general public is hereby put on notice that the entire parcel of land situate at the Southern Area of Njaba River in Obabor Nkwokwu Village in Mbaitoli LGA. Imo State belong-to Obabor Nkwokwu Village in Eziama obiato Autonomous Community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Note that the said land is not for sale. FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the said parcel of land is the subject of litigation at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja inn Supreme Court Apeal No.SC/186/2007 between Nkwokwu Village, Eziama Obiato in Mbaitoli LGA, and Umueme Awo Omemma in Oru East LGA which Supreme Court of Appeal has not been determined till date. ANY INFORMATION TO THE CONTRARY IS FALSE.The Obabor Nkwokwu Village in Eziama Obiato Autonomous Community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State are by this Notice informing the General public that any person or persons who encroaches or encroach on the said land, or any person or group of persons who deals with any agent(s) in whatever capacity with respect to the said land, or who purchase the said land, or any part thereof does so at his or her or their own risk.The general public and buyers of land are hereby advised to beware. Signed for and on behalf of Obabor Nkwokwu Village, Eziama obiato
Autonomous Community, Mbaitoli LGA.

HRH Eze Dennis Nwaba of Eziama Obiato lamented that despite the caveat emptor and the matter being in Supreme Court of Appeal that the youths and some dubious people from Umueme Awo-Omemma advanced plans to sale the part of the land which his people vehemently resisted.

However, Hon. Okey Onyekanma, the law maker representing Mbaitolu State Constituency said he has raised the necessary petitions to the police and the state government while Hon. Henry Nwawuba, representing Mbaitolu/Ikeduru Federal Constituency said he’s yet to be briefed over the lingering crisis even when the villagers said they have briefed him severally without action.

Awo people against all efforts for amicable resolution are continuously clearing the site , destroying crops women planted like cassava etc and Economic trees even excavating graves . They were allegedly battle ready for war but Eziama Obiato people are not ready for war with their brothers allegedly.

According to a member of the community in Abuja ,Eziama Obiato people want nothing but peaceful resolution of the impending was situation as they await Supreme court verdict on the said land since it’s an abuse of court processes.

He wondered why Eziama Obiato people should be intimidated by Awo Omemma people. They called the office of the Deputy Governor in charge of land disputes to hasten up resolution to the crisis.
He accused Awo people of stealing, cutting down Economic trees and sold them before Oboabo Nkwokwu Eziama Obiato people as a way of intimidation.