The traditional ruler of Idima Ohaeke Abam, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State, HRH Eze Mike Okorie and his community have petitioned the office of Abia State Deputy Governor, over alleged take over of their lands by some alleged settlers.
According to him, a group of settlers, knowns as Ndi Eme Eme or Ndi Mme Mme who attended a social festival in Idima Abam, many years before the Nigeria/Biafra civil war, are now claiming to be the rightful owners of the satellite areas of Idima which they occupy.
Eze Okorie who made the position of his community available to Journalists in Idima Abam, called on the Abia State government to handle the issue with utmost wisdom as anything contrary may endanger the peace of his community.
Tracing the history of the lands in dispute and the people in question, Eze Okorie, recalled that ” there was a social event in Idima Abam which was attended by guests from within and outside Abam land, during which there were surplus foods available for guests.”
He continued that some of the said guests who stayed back, pleaded with the natives of Abam especially Abam Ohaeke to allow them farm in the satellite area with a plea to be paying rates to the land owners.
He added that Chief Agbai Edu of Ndi Obo compound, was the person that administered the collection of rates from the settlers.
However, the settlers, according to the royal father are now claiming the full ownership of the land and are now allegedly seeking the support of Abia State government to realise their plans.
” We have petitioned the State Deputy Governor on the activities of one Sir C.N.Nwanevu, a surveyor who led a team appointed by Abia State government to arbitrate on our land, a land he knows nothing about.
He expressed concern that the outcome of the arbitration team may be biased against his community, hence the alarm.
On the issue of developmental challenges confronting his community, Eze Okorie lamented the effect of poor infrastructure on his people and appealed with the Abia State government to respond to his people’s plight.
Eze Okorie frowned at poor government presence in Idima Ohaeke and other parts of Abam.
