The host community of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State has given Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the State Government notice to quit their land, Daily Sun reports.
In a motion on notice for interim injunction brought by the community through their President General, Igbariam Progress Union, Chris Oforkansi, and others, the community approached the Awka High Court to restrain the university from further encroaching into their land.
The community, in suit No A/MSC298/2024, sought order of interim injunction restraining Governor Soludo and Anambra State government from further adverse occupation and possession of the land, including the one housing the Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
“An order of interim injunction brought against the first to seven respondents (Governor Soludo and otters) from further adverse occupation, possession, trespass, sales of lands and other activities on the land.
The land, which measures approximately 2,415 hectares, became subject of litigation when the community felt the reason the land was acquired by the old Eastern Region for farm settlement had been abolished, hence, the need to return the land to the original owners.
The counsel to Igbariam community, Vincent Makam, said the interim injunction order was to restrain government from taking land from his clients on the grounds that the land his clients are farming has been taken over by the state government.
He said with the abolition of the farm settlement by Ukpabi Asika government, the land ought to automatically return to the original owners and urged the court to give order restraining the state government from further harm on the people of the community.
They contended that the original aim of the acquisition of the land by the Eastern region was abolished in 1976 and maintained that the people of the place have been farming on the land before Anambra State government forcefully took over the land for the purpose of the university and the proposed construction of the university of agriculture.
He urged the court to grant the interim injunction pending the hearing of suit on the proposed applicant in the substantive suit.
Counsel to Anambra State, Ezeagu Obianuju, said government is in possession of the land based on memorandum of understanding entered between the people of Igbariam with the old Eastern state. She said there is no need for the community to seek legal action against the state government and the university.
The trial judge, Jude Obiora, after listening to the arguments of both counsels adjourned the matter to August 30, 2024 for further hearing on the motion on notice.
