The Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State has cautioned all individuals and groups claiming ownership of land along Silas Works Road in the Fegge Layout to refrain from taking any further action until the courts have delivered a final judgment on the matter.
In an official statement issued by the Council Secretary, Mr. Paul Onuachala, the local government stated that the parcel of land in question is currently the subject of multiple litigations pending before various courts of competent jurisdictions.
The council also called on the Anambra State House of Assembly to refrain from discussing or intervening in the matter, noting that it is sub judice and, therefore, legally inappropriate for any legislative committee to get involved while judicial proceedings are ongoing.
“For the sake of clarity and to set the record straight, the land is under active legal dispute, and any involvement by the House of Assembly or its committees in what effectively amounts to adjudicating a land dispute raises serious legal and constitutional concerns,” he stated .
Mr. Onuachala warned that any further involvement or action by the House of Assembly could be deemed as interference with the judiciary and a violation of the principle of separation of powers.
He reiterated the Council’s position that the disputed land is the legitimate property of Onitsha South Local Government and stated that the Council would defend its rights through all available legal avenues.
He further lamented that over the years, several individuals have taken advantage of the prolonged neglect of the local government system in Anambra State to illegally encroach on government-owned land, including the one currently in dispute.
The statement reads:
The attention of the Onitsha South Local Government Area, Anambra State, has been drawn to news reports circulating online regarding a parcel of land located along Silas Works Road, Fegge Layout, within Onitsha South LGA.
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.
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.
The Onitsha South Local Government Council maintains 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 reversing this trend and restoring the integrity of the local government system.
The only “crime” of the Mayor of Onitsha South Hon Emeka orji 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 LG has already put the recovered Council property into urgent public use by Building first ever fire service station in Onitsha ancient Kingdom at large. The big question then is this ? , what is basis of indicting Hon Emeka Joseph Orji?
Simply put the recovered has been put to public use as it was originally meant for.
The Onitsha South Local Government Area calls on all parties involved to respect the rule of law and allow the courts to determine the rightful ownership of the land.
