The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has assured the people of Umuoke Kindred in Ofeke Azueke Ndume Ibeku that the House will investigate allegations surrounding the takeover of their land without their consent.
Emeruwa gave the assurance on Tuesday while addressing members of the Umuoke Kindred, Ofeke Azueke Ndume Ibeku, who staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly Complex in Umuahia over what they described as the invasion of their Alaoji Isiyi Oduakara land without their knowledge.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Austin Okezie Meregini, the lawmaker said the Assembly would carefully examine the complaints to ensure that justice is done.
He commended the people of Umuoke Kindred for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances before the House.
According to him, the present administration led by Alex Otti does not support oppression or the unlawful deprivation of citizens of their rights.
Speaking on behalf of the community, leaders of Umuoke Kindred, including Mr. Chimaobi Nwokocha, Mr. Kingsley Ogbonna, Mrs. Victoria Chinyere, Mr. Alozie Ndubuka and Mr. Kennedy Ezeocha, appealed to the Assembly to intervene and stop what they described as unlawful encroachment on their ancestral land by some individuals allegedly working with certain government officials.
The community leaders explained that the land serves as their residential area, burial ground for their loved ones and farmland, stressing that any attempt to take over the land without their consent would be resisted.
They, however, clarified that the community was not against development, noting that Umuoke Kindred had in the past willingly released portions of land to government for developmental projects.
