The Asa Development Union, ADU, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, has withdrawn the suit before the Ukwa High Court challenging the Abia State Government and the Enyimba Economic City Limited for alleged forceful acquisition of lands belonging to their Communities.
In two separate statements released on Thursday by the Acting President General of the Union, Barrister G.O.C. Ihenkor and the Secretary General, Sir Boniface Nwaigwe, they said the withdrawal of the suit filed by their lawyer, K.C. Nwufor, SAN, was sequel to the order recently signed by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti revoking the acquisition of their lands for the Enyimba Economic City project.
It should be recalled that the immediate past administration led by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had acquired lands belonging to the Communities of Ugwati, Ogwe, Umuaka, Umuobia, Obehie, Obibor, Owaza, Ikpokwu, Obiga, Umuadienwe, Umunteke, Umukalu, Umuokwor, Umuiku and Ozatta for a project known as the Enyimba Economic City.
According to the statements, the ADU challenged the action of the State Government on the grounds that their lands were acquired forcefully.
The statement of the Secretary General reads in part:
“In pursuit of this vexatious issue, the Leadership of Asa Development Union took multi dimensional steps including putting up appearance at the Special Panel set up by Governor Dr Alex Chioma Otti for recovery of Government Properties. The Panel however declined jurisdiction over the petition saying that the issues imbedded in the petition are same with the suit pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“And this prompted the NEC to write a letter directly to our dear Governor, praying for his intervention by way of Revoking any title whatsoever held in respect to the Lands in question. To God be all Glory, His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, (Executive Governor of Abia State) in furtherance of his show of love to the people of Ukwa West, graciously and conscientiously granted our request and issued “REVOCATION ORDER” cancelling all titles held by Enyimba Economic City Ltd over the lands which cut across three Local Governments of Ukwa West, Ukwa East and Ugwunagbo.”
The ADU, in the statement, thanked the Abia State Governor, Dr. Otti, for his love and commitment to the well-being of the people of Ukwa West Local Government Area.
