Imo Community Drags Gov, Others To Court Over Trespass On Land
The Umuocha Avu Community, located in Owerri-West Local Government Area, has initiated legal proceedings against the Governor of Imo State, the Attorney General, Imo Housing Corporation, Vertex Estate Nigeria Limited, and Engineer Christian Mike Onyekachi.
Represented by Elder Godwin Oparamba, Elder Chijioke Maduike, Engineer Franklin Mbajunwa, Mr. Ikechukwu Ubah, Mr. Davison Ubah, and Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, they have filed a lawsuit in the Owerri High Court.
The suit, numbered HOW/83/2026, alleges unlawful and forceful entry, destruction of residences, palm plantations, farmland, and other economic plants on their ancestral land at Mgbabo Uzi.
Filed by their legal counsel, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, the plaintiffs assert their rightful ownership of the ancestral land of Umuocha Avu.
They claim that their customary right of occupancy has neither been validly revoked nor have they received any compensation.
The plaintiffs seek a court declaration affirming that the third, fourth, and fifth defendants, along with their agents, servants, privies, or any associated individuals, have no legitimate rights or interests in the aforementioned land.
They argue that the actions of entering, occupying, and demolishing by these defendants constitute trespass.
Furthermore, the plaintiffs request a declaration that the alleged land acquisition is unlawful due to non-compliance with the procedures outlined in the Land Use Act.
They also seek a perpetual injunction preventing the defendants, their agents, privies, servants, or any other parties from further entering, remaining on, demolishing, or interfering with the plaintiffs’ peaceful possession and enjoyment of the land and its properties.
Additionally, they request an order from the High Court to annul the purported allocation of the ancestral lands of Umuocha in Avu Autonomous Community, Owerri-West LGA, Imo State, made by the first and third defendants in favour of the fourth and fifth defendants.
They seek an order for possession, directing the defendants to immediately vacate and surrender possession of the ancestral lands they have encroached upon.
