Enugu State government has commenced forceful eviction and takeover of lands belonging to Amechi and Obeagu in Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area.
The government through the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, began the demolition despite all efforts made by the the two communities to appeal to the government.
The agency had earlier announced it will demolish 68 buildings in the estate which it claimed where illegally constructed.
However, it was learnt that the action of government is based on a consent judgement obtained from Enugu State High Court which ceded some portions of the disputed land to the state government.
The government had given the communities of Amechi and Obeagu-Awkunanaw the original owners of the land seven days to vacate the land and fixed demolition for May 4 2023 (tomorrow).
But in an unexpected twist, the agency mobilised bulldozers to the disputed area with a detachment of Policemen, Department of State Services, NSCDC among others and started the demolition a day before the expiration of the notice.
Members of the communities earlier blocked the road to the disputed area with bonfires but where overpowered and dispersed by security operatives.
There were sporadic shootings by Police officers as some property owners resisted attempt to pull down their already completed buildings.
The people of Obeagu Awkunanaw community and the concerned kindred families of Amechi Uwani had yesterday raised an alarm over the planned demolition of properties worth billions of Naira around the Centenary city by officials of Enugu State government.
The properties located within the 1,097 hectares of land belonging to the Obeagu Awkunanaw community and to the concerned kindred families of Amechi Uwani is the subject of different litigations including Suit Nos: E/56/2020, E/871/2019 , E/1148/2019 amongst others.
The state government had entered into and obtained a consent judgement with private developers with which it plans to demolish the multi-billion Naira structures erected in the area, using the the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).
According to the community, the consent judgement was obtained by government without recourse to them as owners of the property even when they applied to be joined in the matter.
They added that the outgoing administration of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was only compounding issues and creating problems for the incoming administration of Barr Peter Mbah.
The community said it has also filed processes at Enugu State High court to set aside the consent judgement with which the state government is relying on to act.
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