By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The elders of Urum community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, together with the town union executives have called on the Anambra State Government to as a matter of urgency call a developer, High Chief Okechukwu Kingsley Chukwueme a.k.a Nwaguatahihia, to order over his alleged invasion of their land and destruction of economic trees worth millions of naira.

The call they noted is to avoid break down of law and order in the peaceful agrarian town, saying that the Farmlands which was being prepared for farming activities was destroyed when the developer invaded the Ochiokwa portion of land belonging to Urum Community without any legal backings.

The community members which include aged men and youths trooped out in their numbers and converged on the land screaming about what they described as total economic destruction of livelihood at a time that the government is preaching agriculture and encouraging more farming activities.

Meanwhile, the elders of Urum gathered at the parcel of Land called Ochiokwa, with a view to meeting with the developer, Chukwueme who claimed he bought land from some persons in the Community.

Narrating the story, the President General of the community, Sir Felix Ifebumma said that they had resolved that the developer and those who allegedly sold the land to him would be present at Ochiokwa to stand in front of their lands since they claimed ownership of Communal lands.

He recalled that the original owners of the land came in their numbers together with youths of the Community, but both the developer and the alleged sellers did not show up.

Ifebumma added: “Their not showing up confirms that they were fraudsters parading as land owners.

“Despite all the warnings and efforts, the developer had gone ahead to bulldoze economic tress worth over One Billion naira.”

While showing their portions of land in the area, two indigenes of Urum, Chief Godwin Onyibo and Mr Lawrence Anowai said that there was no plan to sell the land to any developer.

Some members of the community. Leonard Eze from Umude Clan, Akitinyi village and Nze Patrick Okolo from Ifiteora Village, wondered how a developer would come into a community to buy land from few youths rather than asking for proper guide and direction on the original owners of such land.

The trio of Chief Edwin Okafor, Chief Wilfred Jideuno and Mr Chukwuemeka Nwoye however appealed to the relevant authorities in the state to come to their rescue by calling the developer to order.

According to the people, Ochiokwa land was left for farming activities and not for sell for any reason as it was being reserved for their upcoming children.

They said that the continued activities and invasion of Urum by Nwaguatahihia if not put in check by the relevant government authorities poses great danger to the entire community as he allegedly continues to use money to influence and instigate few bad elements against the entire community.

They further used the opportunity to commend Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his developmental strides so fat across the state, promising to keep supporting his administration in making Anambra a liveable Prosperous homeland for all.

Meanwhile the land developer, real estate mogul Chukwueme, told journalists that he bought the Ochiokwa land from the rightful owners in Urum contrary to speculations.

According to him, the land was properly documented and due process followed in acquiring it from the people.

Chukwueme explained that five Indigenes of the community who owns the land unanimously sold the said land to him with the traditional ruler of the community as a witness.