Fresh tension is brewing in Obinolu Chukwu Community, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, following moves to establish a proposed cassava processing plant on a parcel of land currently entangled in litigation before the High Court of Abia State.
The development has triggered widespread concern among stakeholders and indigenes of the community, who warned that proceeding with the project despite an existing court injunction and ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts could ignite fresh unrest in the area.
The controversy followed the recent visit of the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Chief Sunny Afurobi, and members of his entourage to the palace of the traditional ruler of Obinolu, HRM Eze Amb. L.O. Uche, Nnakaeze I of Obinolu, where discussions were held regarding the proposed siting of the cassava processing facility.
According to sources within the community, the council chairman informed stakeholders that funds for the project had already been secured and urged the community to provide a suitable location for immediate commencement of work.
Subsequently, HRM Eze Amb. L.O. Uche and HRH Eze Kenneth Ugah, Nugha I of Isi-Obinolu, reportedly identified a portion of land for the project.
However, investigations revealed that the said land is presently the subject of litigation in Suit No. HUM/11/2025 before the High Court of Abia State sitting at Nkwoagu Isuochi Judicial Division.
Court documents obtained by journalists showed that the matter involves DON DESTINE GLOBAL LINKS LTD as claimant and several defendants, including HRM Eze Amb. L.O. Uche, Barr. Chris Otum, Engr. Ekene Chisindi Oluegburu, Mr Uche Obieze, Very Rev. Israel Ukachukwu, Hon. Chiagozie Egbu, Mr Michael Anyikwa, Chief Sir Etomchukwu Alaekwe, Engr. Ndudirim Chukwu and Engr. Onyekachi Eke.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Hon. Justice C. Chido Nwakanma restrained the defendants, their agents and privies from engaging vendors, companies or any individuals for the purpose of surveying or parceling the disputed Obinolu land pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court order has since raised serious legal concerns over any attempt to commence development activities on the land while the matter remains unresolved before the court.
Legal analysts noted that under the Nigerian Constitution and established principles of the rule of law, all parties, including government officials, traditional institutions and community leaders, are expected to respect judicial processes and maintain the status quo pending the final determination of matters before competent courts.
Stakeholders within the community further alleged that the lingering dispute had earlier prompted the President-General of the Obinolu Town Development Union, Barr. Chris Otum, to petition the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, over the crisis surrounding the land.
Sources disclosed that Governor Otti subsequently directed the petition to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, leading to the constitution of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate in the matter and restore calm within the community.
Despite the ongoing reconciliation process, some stakeholders alleged that the efforts of the committee suffered setbacks due to the absence of key traditional rulers during several meetings convened to address the dispute.
According to the stakeholders, both HRM Eze Amb. L.O. Uche and HRH Eze Kenneth Ugah allegedly failed to participate actively in the reconciliation meetings, thereby frustrating efforts aimed at achieving an amicable resolution of the crisis.
Concerned indigenes further alleged that the recent involvement of the local government chairman in accessing the disputed land for the proposed cassava processing plant could undermine both the judicial process and the peace initiative already initiated by the Abia State Government.
They warned that any attempt to proceed with the project on the disputed land could inflame tensions, deepen divisions among community members and trigger fresh unrest within Obinolu Chukwu Community.
The stakeholders therefore called on the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi LGA and all parties involved to suspend every action relating to the project site pending the final determination of the court case and conclusion of the peace and reconciliation process.
They also appealed to the Abia State Government, security agencies and relevant authorities to urgently intervene in order to preserve peace, uphold the rule of law and prevent a breakdown of law and order in the community.
Efforts by National Ambassador reporter to reach the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Chief Sunny Afurobi, for comments proved unsuccessful, as calls placed to his mobile telephone line were not answered as at the time of filing this report.
