Land disputes in Amiyi Akah: Eze Francis Ahanotu responds.

Last week, disturbing reports circulated widely online involving the royal father of the Amiyi Akah Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Francis Akanotu, the Iyi 1 of AmiyiAkah. According to the report titled, “Scandal in Amiyi Akah as Ihentuge Accuses Eze Francis Ahanotu of Buying Disputed Land Brought to His Palace for Settlement and Reselling It for Personal Gain,” Mr. Ihentuge of Amiyi alleged that the traditional ruler compromised an ongoing peace process by allegedly acquiring the disputed land for personal benefit.

Mr. Ihentugea son of the community whom the report claimed was at the centre of the storm claimed that he and his family had taken the contested land matter to the Eze’s palace in search of a peaceful resolution. However, he alleged that instead of mediating the dispute impartially, the monarch secretly purchased the land from the opposing party and later resold it, an action he says further escalated tensions within the community.

Shortly before press time last week, the Amiyi monarch contacted Umuaka Times to state his own side of the story. Below is the response from the royal father which was written in the official letterhead paper of the monarch:

1. It is not correct that the Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Barr. Francis Ahanotu, Iyi 1 of Amiyi-Akah, bought the land that was in dispute, in a case he was handling, this is a complete falsehood and no right thinking person will buy a land which was brought to him for adjudication.
2. When the case was reported to the Traditional Ruler, he set up a committee to look into the matter, so it is completely false that the Eze, was handling the case from the time it was reported.
3. The committee set up by the Traditional Ruler found that Mr. Michael Ihentuge and Co. sold the land which belong to Mr. Ngozi Nsoha.
4. While Mr. Michael Ihentuge claimed that he got approval from Mr. Ngozi Nsoha to sell the land through Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika, Mr. Ngozi Nsoha claimed that he did not authorize them to sell his land.
5. The committee subsequently directed Mr. Michael Ihentuge and Co. to refund the money paid for the land to Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu of Isiozi-Akah.

6. Mr. Michael Ihentuge through the palace refunded one million eight hundred and fifty thousand naira (N1,850,000)only.
7. When the committee could not get Mr. Michael Ihentuge and Co. to completely refund the money, the attention of the Traditional Ruler was drawn to the situation and in the cause of looking into the matter, the Traditional Ruler discovered that the land in dispute is the same land that was recommended to him, which has already been paid for by somebody. The Traditional Ruler openly made this known to the parties involved in this case and expressed displeasure and regret that the committee did not bring certain information to his knowledge before now. It’s important to note that the complaint was filed against Mr. Micheal Ihentuge by the buyer, before Mr. Micheal Ihentuge now filed the case against Mr. Ngozi Nsoha and Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika.
8. Even though this land in dispute was sold directly by Mr. Ngozi Nsoha, through another agent, to somebody known to the Traditional Ruler, upon discovery that it is the same land in dispute, effort was immediately made and the land transaction was retracted thereby reverting the property back to Mr. Ngozi Nsoha.
9. Determined to unravel the mystery of the sale and its complications, the Traditional Ruler with the committee members invited all the parties involved namely: Mr. Michael Ihentuge, Mr. Theddeus Iwu, Mr. Theddeus Onumajuru, Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika and Mr. Ngozi Nsoha, who variously made incriminating statements against each other as to the sale and sharing of the money.
10. After a careful study of the case, the Traditional Ruler got all those involved in the sale of the land to sign undertaking and pledge their individual land as guarantee to refund the money.
11. The only person who did not show up to sign the undertaking is Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika, but the palace still took action towards sealing his property which was resisted.
12. Mr. Ngozi Nsoha was supposed to refund two million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N2,750, 000) only, Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika, two million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N2,750,000) only and Mr. Michael Ihentuge, one million eight hundred and fifty thousand naira (N1,850,000) only. While the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand (N150,000) only was in possession of Mr. Okechukwu Ihugba, a relation of the complainant, making a total sum of seven million five hundred thousand naira (N7,500,000) only, with regards to the transaction on the land.
13. The Traditional ruler with the Chiefs was able to use Mr. Ngozi Nsoha’s land to raise the sum of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N2,750,000) only as part of his refund, when he was not forthcoming with the cash.
14. Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika, who promised to bring his own money later resulted to blackmail and threats with his brothers, up till now, he is no where to be found.
15. Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika and his brothers have also threatened to deal with any person or group of persons who attempts to takes possession of his property.
16. It should be noted that out of the sum of seven million five hundred thousand naira (N7,500,000) only, paid by Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu for the land to Mr. Michael Ihentuge, a total sum of four million six hundred thousand naira (N4,600,000) only, was recovered by the palace and paid to Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu of Isiozi-Akah.
17. Efforts was on to get Mr. Chinedu Nkemjika to pay back the sum of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N2,750,000) only before Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu started his threats.
18. At this juncture, the palace called all the parties involved, played the voice message from the complainant Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu and informed everyone that the palace was withdrawing from handling the matter because of the threat from the complainant.
19. Subsequently, Mr. Okechukwu Udeagwu and his brothers reported the matter to the police who came and arrested Chief J.N.C Nwosu, the palace secretary, Chief Boniface Egeolu, the committee chairman that initially handled the case on behalf of the palace and Mr. Michael Ihentuge who was one of those who sold the land.
20. 20. While it is important to acknowledge freedom of speech in the context of existing provision in the country, it is necessary to note that there is a limitation. Unverified statement made towards building up sentiments and dissemination of false information is also an offense.
21. We humbly advice Mr Micheal 6 Ihentuge to understand that breach of the law cannot be covered by resorting to falsehood and collaborating with detractors.
22. It is also appropriate to note that assassination of character and false information tailored towards ridiculing a person, a group or an institution is an offense and actionable.
23. It is hereby stated, and brought to the notice of the general public, that the Traditional Institution of Amiyi-Akah will not treat with levity any statement made or information unverified sent out with a view of bringing the community or it’s leadership to ridicule or disrepute, for civility is not a weakness.

Signed

Mr. Dan Ibemere Eze (LL.B) Hons.

Cabinet secretary,  Amiyi-Akah Autonomous Community.