Residents and members of the Orlu Town Landowners Association in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State have commended the Executive Chairman of Orlu LGA, Pastor Chris Mbarie, and the Comrade Nonso Akwaeke-led Land Recovery Committee for what they described as efforts to protect landowners and facilitate the recovery of lands allegedly acquired through forceful or irregular means.
The landowners expressed profound gratitude to the council chairman and members of the committee, alleging that their intervention had helped save several residents from what they described as the alleged forceful acquisition and appropriation of ancestral lands by former Mayor of Orlu, Ichie Uche Mbanaso.
The group made its position known through its leader, Chief Emeka Mbudom, who addressed journalists in Orlu on Sunday.
Mbudom alleged that Mbanaso, during his time in public office, allegedly collaborated with some individuals associated with the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha to acquire lands belonging to residents under various pretexts.
He described Mbanaso as an alleged “desperate land grabber,” accusing him of employing various means to take possession of lands belonging to individuals and families in Orlu.
According to him, some ancestral lands were allegedly acquired under the guise of facilitating road expansion and other public projects.“In several instances, ancestral lands belonging to our people were allegedly taken under the guise of dualising roads, but some of the lands were subsequently used for private developments, including the construction of a hotel,” he alleged.
Mbudom also alleged that Mbanaso had, at another time, represented to landowners that a large expanse of land was required for the construction of a mega filling station, but allegedly ended up developing a private filling station on the property.
He further accused the former public office holder of allegedly using his influence and position to intimidate landowners who resisted attempts to take over their properties.
“As if that was not enough, Mbanaso was allegedly ruthless in his desperation to acquire people’s lands,” Mbudom said.
The association particularly praised the Executive Chairman of Orlu LGA and the Land Recovery Committee led by Hon Chinonso Akwaeke for their role in the recovery of some of the disputed properties.
The landowners said they were grateful to everyone who contributed to efforts aimed at returning affected lands to their rightful owners.
“We appreciate the Executive Chairman of Orlu LGA, Pastor Chris Mbarie, Hon Akwaeke and members of the Land Recovery Committee, as well as every individual who contributed in one way or another towards facilitating the recovery of our lands,” Mbudom said.
The association also called on the Imo State Government to investigate the allegations surrounding the acquisition and use of the disputed lands.
The group urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to direct the relevant authorities to investigate Mbanaso’s activities and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecute him in accordance with the law.
According to the landowners, such action would help establish accountability and deter others from allegedly abusing public office or using political influence to dispossess citizens of their properties.
Recall that Ichie Uche Mbanaso served at different times as Mayor of Orlu and Commissioner for Works in Imo State during the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The landowners alleged that his tenure in public office was associated with several controversies, particularly relating to land administration and property acquisition.
They further claimed that previous efforts by residents to draw the attention of the then Governor Okorocha to their grievances and alleged activities of Mbanaso did not yield the desired results.“All the efforts we made at the time to ensure that the former Governor Rochas Okorocha intervened, curtailed the alleged excesses and held him accountable were unsuccessful,” they alleged.
The association therefore appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the allegations, stressing that any person found culpable should be made to face the law.
