The people of Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Council has today approached a Customary court in Eha-Amufu district over the incessant seizure of their lands by the former Enugu Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga.
In the Suit number marked: EAUCC/ 4L/2022, the plaintiff prayed the court to grant an order stopping the encroachment on their land by the former guber candidate of the Labour Party in Enugu State.
The villagers who stormed the customary court in Eha-Amufu today lamented bitterly how Edeoga has on numerous occasions seized people’s lands with his political power. The elders who are mostly septuagenarians recounted that Chijioke Edeoga’s political positions since 1998 till today has been used covetously. Intimidation and conversion of people’s properties to his own family property became his lifestyle. The elders who went ahead to pour out their grievances, said that they had 25 years of sorrow since Edeoga joined politics.
While laying curses on him, one of the elders, Abuguja James asked why a young man like Edeoga will be so interested in grabbing people’s lands, seizing people’s palm plantations in the name that government has designated the lands for public purpose while later on, Edeoga will start harvesting the fruits in the lands.
“We are not the only ones who experienced the ill treatment of Edeoga, other villages like Abor, Ihanyi, Orokoro, Isu, Umuju and Umujoovu have suffered same fate but each time anyone threatened a legal action, he told them that government owns the land and as a government official, he had the influence on the government”.
Chief Igwebuike Christopher, another elder of the community said that the intimidation and marginalization have gotten to an extent they couldn’t tolerate any more. Mr Igwebuike said that this action was propelled by their sons and daughters living abroad, and said they are prepared to get what belongs to them no matter what it may cost them. He said, “we shall fight it to an end, enough is enough. A man does not sit and watch a goat deliver in tether”.
The court President has adjourned the matter for hearing on Wednesday, 29 November, 2022.
