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In
compliance with a 2017 Order of an Imo State High Court, Government of Imo
State has taken steps to demarcate the boundary between Mgbirichi community in
Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of the state and the 34 Field Artillery
Brigade, Obinze, Imo State.
Speaking
during a meeting of stakeholders at Government House, Owerri, Friday, Deputy
Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona reiterated the commitment of the
Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration to rule of law and obedience to
court orders.
crimefacts.news
recalls that an Owerri High Court, presided over by Justice P.C. Ikpeama in
suit no. HOW/123/2014 had ordered the Surveyor General of Imo State to
delineate the extent of land belonging to parties to the suit.
The order reads in part: “That the Surveyor
General of Imo State is hereby ordered to delineate the extent of land covered
by the two certificates of occupancy as contained at paragraph 7 of the
Statement of defense of the 1st set of defendants.”
The
matter, between Prince Anthony Uzoma Ikegwuruka, Chief Obinna Oleru and Julius
Oleru, as plaintiffs, representing Uzouba village, Mgbirichi, Ohaji/Egbema, as
plaintiffs and 34 Field Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army, the Minister of
Defense, the Nigerian Army Council and the Attorney General of Imo State as
first set of defendants.
The
second set of defendants in the matter are: the Governor of Imo State, the
Attorney General of Imo State and the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban
Planning, Imo State.
Drawing
the attention of the State Government to the Court Order earlier, Mgbirichi
Town Union, in a letter dated June 6, 2019, addressed to the Deputy Governor of
Imo State, entitled “Delineation of Boundary between the Nigerian Army 34 Field
Artillery Brigade Obinze and the host community of Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema
Local Government Area, Imo State” drew the attention of the Government to
incessant clashes between the community and authorities of the Army.
The
letter, signed by the President General, Godfrey Ibeawuchi, Secretary, Michael
Uchegbu and traditional Ruler of Mgbirichi/Abakuru Kingdom, Eze A.R.
Ikegwuruka,reads: “We are the host community customary owners of the land upon
which part of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze and its facilities
situate.”
“Sir,
there has been incessant clashes between our people of Mgbirichi and the men
and authority of the Nigerian Army 34 Field Artillery Obinze. This has led to
quarrels, assault, claims and counter claims of trespass and malicious
destruction of economic trees. The authority of the Brigade consented to our
request for delineation of the boundary to enable each party know the extent, dimension
and abuttal of their own property.”
Parties
at the meeting all agreed to participate in the delineation exercise, as
ordered by the Court.
Present
at the meeting were: members of the Imo State Government Boundary Committee,
including the Commissioner for Lands, Sir Bon Unachukwu, Surveyor General of
Imo State, Casimir Anele, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ray
Nkemdirim and Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Party Affairs, Jeff
Ojinika.
Others
are: Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General Yusuf
Tukura, Eze A.R. Ikegwuruka among others. Fast Avkastèr
