In compliance with a 2017 Order of an Imo State High Court, Government of Imo State has taken steps to demarcate the boundary between Mgbirichi community in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area and 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Imo State.
Speaking during a meeting of stakeholders at Government House, Owerri, Friday afternoon, Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona reiterated the commitment of the Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration to rule of law and obedience to court orders.
He urged citizens of the state to be law abiding, while calling on them to continue to support the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
It would be recalled that an Owerri High Court, presided over by Justice P.C. Ikpeama in suit no. HOW/123/2014 ordered the Surveyor General of Imo State to delineate the extent of land belonging to parties to the suit. The Order reads in part:
“That the Surveyor General of Imo State is hereby ordered to delineate the extent of land covered by the two certificates of occupancy as contained at paragraph 7 of the Statement of defense of the 1st set of defendants.”
The matter, between Prince Anthony Uzoma Ikegwuruka, Chief Obinna Oleru and Julius Oleru, as plaintiffs, representing Uzouba village, Mgbirichi, Ohaji/Egbema, as plaintiffs and 34 Field Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army, the Minister of Defense, the Nigerian Army Council and the Attorney General of Imo State as first set of defendants.
The second set of defendants in the matter are: the Governor of Imo State, the Attorney General of Imo State and the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Imo State.
Drawing the attention of the State Government to the Court Order earlier, Mgbirichi Town Union, in a letter dated June 6, 2019, addressed to the Deputy Governor of Imo State, entitled “Delineation of Boundary between the Nigerian Army 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze and the host community of Mgbirichi in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State” drew the attention of the Government to incessant clashes between the community and authorities of the Army.
The letter, signed by the President General, Godffrey Ibeawuchi, Secretary, Michael Uchegbu and traditional Ruler, Ezeahurukwe 11 of Mgbirichi/Abakuru Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze A.R. Ikegwuruka,reads in part:
“We are the host community customary owners of the land upon which part of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Obinze and its facilities situate.”
“Sir, there has been incessant clashes between our people of Mgbirichi and the men and authority of the Nigerian Army 34 Field Artillery Obinze. This has led to quarrels, assault, claims and counter claims of trespass and malicious destruction of economic trees. The authority of the Brigade consented to our request for delineation of the boundary to enable each party know the extent, dimension and abuttal of their own property.”
Parties at the meeting all agreed to participate in the delineation exercise, as ordered by the Court.
Present at the meeting were: members of the Imo State Government Boundary Committee, including the Commissioner for Lands, Sir Bon Unachukwu, Surveyor General of Imo State, Casimir Anele, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ray Nkemdirim and Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Party Affairs, Jeff Ojinika.
Others are: Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General Yusuf Tukura, Traditional Ruler of Mgbirichi Community, HRM Eze A.R. Ikegwuruka, Chief Sam-Jack Ihezue, among others.