Abia State News
Court Order Sparks Fresh Tension Over Proposed Cassava Plant in Obinolu Community
Fresh tension is brewing in Obinolu Chukwu Community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State following moves to site a proposed Cassava Processing Plant on a parcel of land already entangled in a legal dispute before the High Court of Abia State.
The development has sparked widespread concern among stakeholders and indigenes of the community, who warned that proceeding with the project despite an existing court injunction and ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts could trigger further crisis within the area.
The controversy followed the recent visit of the Executive Mayor of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Sunny Afurobi, and his entourage to the palace of HRM Eze Amb. L.O Uche, Nnakaeze 1 of Obinolu, where discussions were held concerning the proposed siting of the cassava processing plant in Obinolu Chukwu Community.
According to reports, the Mayor informed members of the community that funds for the project were fully available and requested that the community provide a suitable site for immediate commencement of work. The traditional rulers, HRM Eze Amb. L.O Uche and HRH Eze Kenneth Ugah, Nugha 1 of Isi-Obinolu, subsequently identified a location for the proposed project.
However, emerging facts indicate that the said land is already the subject of litigation in Suit No. HUM/11/2025 before the High Court of Abia State sitting in Nkwoagu Isuochi Judicial Division.
Court documents obtained by journalists revealed that the matter involves DON DESTINE GLOBAL LINKS LTD and several defendants, including HRM Eze Amb. L.O Uche, Barr. Chris Otum, Engr. Ekene Chisindi Oluegburu, Mr. Uche Obieze, Very Rev. Israel Ukachukwu, Hon. Chiagozie Egbu, Mr. Michael Anyikwa, Chief Sir Etomchukwu Alaekwe, Engr. Ndudirim Chukwu and Engr. Onyekachi Eke.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 by Hon. Justice C. Chido Nwakanma, restrained the defendants, their agents and privies from engaging vendors, companies or any parties for the purpose of surveying and parcellating the disputed Obinolu land pending the determination of the suit.
The court order has since raised serious legal and constitutional concerns over any attempt to commence development activities on the land while the matter remains unresolved before the court.
Legal observers noted that under the Nigerian Constitution and the principles of rule of law, all parties, including government officials, traditional institutions and community leaders, are expected to respect judicial processes and maintain the status quo pending the final determination of matters before competent courts.
Stakeholders in the community alleged that the lingering dispute had earlier prompted the President-General of Obinolu Town Development Union, Barr. Chris Otum, to petition the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, over the crisis surrounding the land.
Sources disclosed that the Governor subsequently directed the petition to the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, leading to the constitution of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate in the matter and restore calm within the community.
Despite the ongoing reconciliation process, some community stakeholders alleged that the efforts of the committee suffered setbacks due to the absence of key traditional rulers during several meetings organized by the committee.
According to the stakeholders, both HRM Eze Amb. L.O Uche and HRH Eze Kenneth Ugah allegedly failed to participate actively in the reconciliation meetings, thereby frustrating efforts aimed at achieving peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Concerned indigenes further alleged that the recent involvement of the Mayor in accessing the disputed land for the proposed cassava processing plant could undermine both the judicial process and the peace initiative already initiated by the Abia State Government.
They warned that any attempt to proceed with the project on the disputed land could inflame tensions, deepen divisions among community members and fuel fresh unrest in Obinolu Chukwu Community.
Community stakeholders therefore called on the Executive Mayor of Umunneochi LGA and all parties involved to suspend every move relating to the project site pending the final determination of the court case and conclusion of the peace and reconciliation process.
They also appealed to the Abia State Government, security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intervene in order to preserve peace, uphold the rule of law and prevent a breakdown of law and order in the community.
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