AfriPulse
PHIL OKOSE, Onitsha
Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra state, disclosed that it has recovered its parcel of land allegedly grabbed by encroachers and built a fire service station there pending the determination of the substantive suit in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Making the disclosure to newsmen, the council chairman, Hon. Emeka Orji, revealed that the attention of the council was drawn to news reports circulating online regarding the parcel of land located along Silas Works road, Fegge Layout, within Onitsha South local government area.
He stated that, “For the sake of clarity and to set the record straight, the said parcel of land is currently the subject of multiple litigations pending before various courts of competent jurisdiction. It is also under investigation by law enforcement authorities at Zone 13, Ukpo. These proceedings involve several parties, including, but not limited to, one Chief Sabest Uzoeto”.
The council chairman condemned in strong terms the involvement of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Public Petition in a matter pending in court, saying, “It is highly concerning that the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Public Petitions has taken it upon itself to intervene in what is clearly a matter for judicial resolution.
“The involvement of the Committee in what amounts to the adjudication of a land dispute raises serious legal and constitutional questions.
Any further action by the House of Assembly in this regard could amount to subjudice, as the matter is still actively before the courts”.
Hon. Orji, who made the condemnation through the Local Government Secretary, Mr. Paul Onuachalla, maintained that the land in question is the rightful property of the Council.
“Unfortunately, a number of individuals have exploited the long-standing neglect of the local government system in Anambra State to unlawfully encroach upon this land.
The current state and federal administrations have committed both in-word and in action to reverse this trend and restore the integrity of the local government system.
“The only “crime” of the Mayor of Onitsha South, Hon Emeka Of, is his unwavering commitment to the restoration of local government authority and the recovery of assets wrongly taken from the Council.
“As a matter of fact, the Onitsha South Local Government has already put the recovered Council property into urgent public use by building the first-ever fire service station in Onitsha ancient Kingdom at large.
” The big question then is this: what is the basis of indicting Hon Emeka Joseph Orji ? Simply put the recovered land has been put to public use as it was originally meant for,” he posited.
The council boss, however, called on all parties involved to respect the rule of law and allow t
Source: Championnews.com.ng | Read the Full Story…
