Ibe Pascal Arogorn, Owerri
The controversial Abba Ikpa land in Umuozu Autonomous Community, Nwangele LGA has continued to make news headlines as both the federal government and Imo Govt move to forcefully take over it’s land for RUGA purposes.
Crimefacts.News gathered that some notable men, Community leaders and Nwangele Stakeholders have resisted this desperate take-over.
Crimefacts.news also observed that the issue being a public concern mandated Rt Hon Ugonna Ozurigbo Member representing Nwangele State Constituency alongside elders of the Community to institute a petition against Imo State Government and Federal Government through Chief Uche Obi, SAN.
In the petition, they claimed that Federal Government has embarked on clandestine moves to implement RUGA Programme for Fulani Herdsmen resettlement in the South East as reported by IPOB agents.
On 25th February 2021, J.T.U Nnodim SAN, on behalf of Chief Raphael Dike and Co., presented their case against the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, In the Petitioners titled, interalia:
”URGENT NEED TO AVOID A POSSIBLE BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER AND LOSS OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES IN NWANGELE LGA.”
There have been speculations that the Chairman House Committee on Public Petitions who doubles as Federal Rep. For Orlu, Orsu and Oru-East LGA, Rt Hon Jerry Alagboso dismissed the petition for lack of merit.
Dismissing the speculations, a public commentatir and media aide to House member representing Nwangele, Njaba and Nkwere federal constituency, Dike Philip Chijoke said Hon Alagbaso never struck the out land acquisition matter over lack of merit
He said, “like its name sounds I think Imo Parrot is just a hearsay tabloid. They were never at the Hearing and only base their story on what they think the know.”
“The Public Petitions Committee of the House of Representatives led by Hon. Jerry Alagboso never struck out the Petition, it was rather stood down and will revisited.
According to Dike Philip, “the Chairman of the Committee based his action on the fact that the matter is already in court and so it will be an aberration for his Committe to look into the matter while it was still in court”.
Stressing Further, Dike Philip accused Imo Parrot.ng of informing its pay masters( Imo Govt & FG) that the People of Umuozu and other concerned communities that own rights to the Ala Ikpa are not willing and will never be willing to let go of their land.
Dike Philip said they will never be coerced, intimidated or cajoled into falling for this old long con from known conartists. The owners of the Ikpa a peaceful loving people and want to remain so”.
“The Public should be informed that on the 25th of February 2021, the Court in Nkwerre also gave an Interlocutory Injunction advising encroachers to avoid that property till the matter is resolved”
“Shame on the RUGA entities, we know you and are ready for all your tricks.With God we will surely retain our land, “Dike Concluded.
As at the time of filling this report, Crimefacts.news couldn’t get the thoughts and comments of the House committee chairman on public petition and member representing Orlu, Orsu and Oru East federal constituency, Rt Hon. Jeryy Alagbaso.
