Why we dragged Anambra assembly to court over their Intervention on our rights of acquisition of Lands –onitsha South L.G.A

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By Eche Nwaobasi – Nnewi/Onitsha.
The Onitsha south LGA Anambra state has explained why they dragged the state house of assembly to court over their recent intervention on the council acquisition of a parcel of land at Silas road Fegge Onitsha which was allegedly owned by an Onitsha base business man Chief Bar Sabest Uzoeto.
Disclosing these reasons to journalists during a press briefing Organized by the local government management to state their own side of the matter held at local government secretariat recently, Paul Onuachalla Esq the secretary of the local government told newsmen that the state house of assembly lacks the power to intervene on the matter as their intervention amount to Usurption of powers of high court in adjudication of land matters since the court is already adjudicating on the matter.
While maintaining that the recovered land in question is the rightful property of the local government and is being put for urgent public interest of construction of a fire service station in Onitsha south LGA which is in line with the amended Anambra state local government administrative law of 2004, he posited that in view of this section of the law, that the local government has the right to acquire its land to build any development project in it.
Commenting on reports of findings of the assembly on the said land, he faulted the findings as meddlesome and stated that an originating summons already filled by the mayor of the council Chief Emeka Joseph Orji at the Onitsha high court in suit NO O/150/25 is seeking a determination of the court on whether the state house of assembly has powers under section 128 and 129 of the constitution of federal republic of Nigeria as amended to adjudicate on matters concerning the ownership of land and properties.
While saying that the local government believes in rule of law and separation of powers, he pointed out that prior to the house committee on public petition report, that the said parcel of land has being undergoing multiple litigation pending before various courts of competent jurisdiction in the state and also are under investigation by law enforcement agencies as well as that many claimants which includes Chief Bar. Sabest Uzoeto and others are in contention for the land.
On his part,Bar Stanley Okafor the legal adviser of Onitsha South LGA while contributing described the entire findings of the state house of assembly as a ruse which he said is an exercise in furtility. Further expressing disgust on the action, He averred that the assembly report was a kangaroo exercise as the matter is pending before a competent court. The legal personnel noted that he is disappointed and pained that instead of the assembly consulting the council to ascertain the true position, illegally took it upon themselves to intervene in a matter that is for judicial resolution.
Reacting on this when contacted, Chief Bar. Sabest Uzoeto said to newsmen through a phone conversation that he would not reply to this as he knows that he is the rightful owner of the land and have his relevant papers obtained from state government agencies in charge of the land, he further told newsmen that it is illiteracy that is worrying the mayor of the council Chief Emeka Orji to tamper with his land adding that his actions over the land is comical and laughable.