By Ovat Abeng
An estate developer, High Chief Okechukwu Kingsley Chukwueme (Nwaguatahihia), has dismissed land grabbing allegations level against him by the President General of Urum Development Union, Hon Sir Felix Godwin and other leaders of the town in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He debunked the allegations while briefing journalists via virtual in Awka on Tuesday.
Chukwueme urged members of the community, the state and the country at large to disregard the information, alleging that what the President General and other leaders are doing is to distort governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a peaceful, secure, livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria.
The Paradise News had earlier reported that the President General, Sir Godwin and other leaders of the community protested against the estate developer, accusing him of encroaching into the community land without proper documentation in accordance with the law of the land.
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They expressed worry over the activities of some land grabbers who parade themselves within the area.
According to them, there is the need for the state government to profile them in other to ensure that they don’t continue to mislead unsuspecting public by selling illegal lands to them.
Sir Godwin said the Community being mindful of the act,have set up a land committee to ensure that all lands bought in Urum are sold by the genuine owners.
The PG said the town will not fold its hands and watch some unscrupulous persons who feel that they are rich enough to destroy the relative peace in Urum by going out of their ways to buy communal lands that are not for sell.
He raised an alarm over a case at hand, where a certain Developer popularly known as Nwaguatahihia evaded the community and hijacked plots of land at Ochiokwa layout in Urum and is advertising to the public to buy from him a property that is not for sell.
“Urum Community confronted him on the 15th of January, 2025 and he apologized and moved his equipments out of the Land on the 17th Day of January 2025.
“The PG stated categorically that anyone that buys land from the said developer does so at his or her own risk as nobody in the community sold the property to the Nwaguatahihia who is already swindling unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money.
The PG said “the public should take note, the Community is not aware of any proposed Residential Layout for Nwaguatahihia heaven estate at Urum in Awka North Local Government Area, please beware.”
Reacting further on the allegation, Chief Chukwueme asserted that his acquisition of the land followed all legal and traditional protocols. He categorically denied speculations that the purchase was irregular or unauthorized.
He explained that five indigenes of the community, who are the rightful owners of the land, unanimously sold it to him. He further noted that the traditional rulers of the community were present as witnesses during the transaction.
“The land was properly documented, and due process was meticulously followed. The relevant signatories have been obtained, and the process of securing the Certificate of Occupancy is well underway,” Nwaguatahihia stated.
He expressed disappointment over accusations from the President General of the town, who he claimed was recently elected and allegedly attempting to tarnish his reputation for personal financial gains.
“This is purely a case of someone trying to malign my name because I refused to meet his financial demands. It’s unfortunate,” Nwaguatahihia lamented.
The developer also highlighted concerns about the negative impact such disputes could have on investment in the area. He emphasized that while the Anambra State Governor has been urging citizens to invest back home, some individuals are allegedly working to undermine those efforts for selfish reasons.
“I am committed to contributing to the development of this community, but distractions like this are counterproductive,” he lamented
In his royal submission, the Traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Benedict Okafor Nweke, while urging the PG to trend the matter with courteousness, noted that the land in contention was among the lands revoked by the past administration of the former governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.
