Connect with us

News

Etiti Ngwo Residents Protest Alleged Land Takeover, Petition Enugu Governor

Phinadon Mag

Published

on

Quick Summary:
Residents protest at Enugu Government House over alleged land grab, accuse officials of defying Supreme Court judgment; government insists land belongs to Federal Government.

Hundreds of residents of Etiti Ngwo Community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday marched to the Enugu Government House, protesting what they described as the forceful takeover of their communal land.

The protesters, comprising men and women, presented a petition to Governor Peter Mbah, alleging disobedience to court judgments in a long-standing land dispute with the Umuakum Atakwu, Akwuke community.

They accused Chiwetalu Nwatu, Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), and Barr. Tony Agu, a representative of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), of ignoring a subsisting Supreme Court judgment and reallocating their land.

Community Alleges Violation of Court Orders

In a protest letter dated March 23, 2026, signed by Daniel Eze, Chairman of the Etiti Central Executive Council, the community accused officials of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and disobedience of court rulings.

He explained that the disputed land—Agu Ovolo, Isiama, and Ebemi—had been under litigation since 1989. Although the community lost at the High Court in 1996, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in 2015, declaring the land to belong to Ngwo.

Eze said an appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out in 2019, and a subsequent attempt to relist the case was dismissed in 2021, effectively affirming Ngwo’s ownership.

Despite these rulings, he alleged that officials and rival community members continued to interfere with the land, leading to demolitions and violence.

Calls for Government Intervention

The community urged Governor Mbah to set up an investigative panel, halt further demolitions, and enforce compliance with court judgments.

Speaking to journalists, Lolo Uzamaka Eze, a community member, said the people of Etiti Ngwo had lost over 10 lives in the dispute despite having a Supreme Court judgment in their favour.

Government: Land Belongs to Federal Government

Responding to the allegations, ENGIS Director Chiwetalu Nwatu referred inquiries to the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dan Nwomeh, who issued a statement asserting that the disputed land is Federal Government property.

He argued that neither Ngwo nor Akwuke communities have valid ownership rights, adding that any court judgment between the communities cannot override federal ownership.

Nwomeh added that ENGIS and the BPE were working to regulate land use and ensure compliance with planning laws, stressing that all contrary claims “not traceable to a valid grant are null and void.”

News

Police arrest Bauchi man accused of poisoning motorcyclist and stealing his bike.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested a 27-year-old man, Isiyaka Badamasi, for allegedly poisoning a commercial motorcyclist in an attempt to steal his motorcycle.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Badamasi and his alleged accomplice, Ma’aruf Sani, reportedly offered a 21-year-old motorcyclist a sweet containing a harmful substance. The victim, who resides in the Yelwa Tudun area of Bauchi, allegedly became intoxicated after consuming it.

The suspects were said to have attempted to dispossess him of his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle. However, the victim raised an alarm after sensing danger, attracting members of the public who apprehended Badamasi. Sani, both of whose residents are reportedly from Na’ibawa in Kano State, escaped and is currently the subject of a police manhunt.

The victim was taken to Gamuwa Primary Health Care Centre, where he remains on admission and is responding to treatment.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Lojay: My uncle told me I would never succeed in music.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

Nigerian singer Lojay has revealed that he faced significant opposition when he decided to pursue a career in music, including doubts from members of his family.

Speaking during a recent livestream with content creator Gilmore, the “Monalisa” hitmaker recalled that one of his wealthy and influential uncles, who is now involved in politics, told him he would never succeed in the music industry.

“I have an uncle who is now in politics. I won’t mention his name, but he is very rich and popular. When I wanted to start music, he told me I would never blow,” Lojay said.

Despite the discouragement, the singer remained committed to his ambition and used the criticism as motivation. He expressed satisfaction that his perseverance had eventually produced positive results.

Lojay also encouraged his fans to remain confident in their dreams and avoid allowing negative opinions to define their ambitions.

Continue Reading

News

Benue Police Deny Withdrawal of Mobile Personnel from Ayilamo.

Ikechukwu Emmanuel

Published

on

The Nigeria Police Command in Benue State has dismissed reports alleging that Mobile Police personnel were withdrawn from Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, the report was described as unfounded and baseless. He stated that Mobile Police personnel remained deployed in Ayilamo alongside the Divisional Police team and other tactical units.

Aondogwu also said additional military personnel had been deployed to reinforce security in the area, urging the public to disregard the report.

However, the traditional ruler of Ayilamo, Mue Ter, Chief Torkoer Samuel, contradicted the police account. He claimed that the Mobile Police personnel left the community on Wednesday with their equipment and Armoured Personnel Carriers.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the current security situation in Ayilamo and the extent of military presence in the community.

Continue Reading

Trending

∧