….As land grabbing kingpin, Ejike Nwachukwu boasts he is above the law
….Imo community in Europe demands justice
In a shocking case of land theft that has left many outraged, an Imo son based in Austria, Mr. Duru Ndubuisi Umuemeziem, has returned home to find that his legally acquired land at Plot 57 Liberty Layout, Owerri, has been stolen. To his utter disbelief, a three-story building now stands on the property, built by an unknown intruder. His desperate attempts to reclaim his land have been met with frustration, threats, and what appears to be the complicity of the police in Imo State.
News Band understand that Ndubuisi, a hardworking Imo indigene, had legally purchased the land in August 2018 from Mr. Okonya Uchenna, a businessman operating under the name Young Millionaire at No. 83 Amaeshi Road, Oguta LGA of Imo State. The transaction was backed by an irrevocable Power of Attorney, solidifying his rightful ownership. In compliance with local customs, he paid a development levy of ₦300,000 to Umudagu Youths. However, when he attempted to begin construction, he was obstructed by the Umudagu Town Union and the Umudagu Committee on Mechanic Village. They demanded a staggering ₦7,000,000, which he paid in 2021 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow him to proceed. Satisfied that all was settled, he returned to Austria, expecting to commence his building project upon his next visit.
But when he finally returned in 2024, his world came crashing down. His land had been taken over, and a massive three-story building had already been erected. Investigations revealed that an alleged notorious land grabber, Chief Ejike Nwachukwu, from Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA, was behind the illegal takeover. Reportedly working in collaboration with Onyekachi Ehirim, who presents himself as the President General of Umudagu Town Union, they fraudulently resold the land and allowed illegal construction to commence.
Further findings my this medium have shown that Chief Ejike Nwachukwu has been allegedly terrorizing landowners in Imo State for years, with numerous victims unable to reclaim their properties due to his alleged strong ties with the police. He openly boasts that he has “bought over the police in Imo State” and that “nothing can be done to him.” Multiple efforts by his victims to secure justice, including attempts to arrest him with police officers from Abuja, have been sabotaged by his touted powerful local connections.
While reacting to this gross injustice, the Imo Community in Europe (ICE), speaking through its Secretary, Dr. Ezekiel Agbarakwe, has condemned the criminal takeover of Ndubuisi’s land and demanded immediate action from the Imo State Government and security agencies.
“This is an appalling case of injustice. How can a man who followed all legal processes, paid all necessary fees, and even entered a formal agreement, return home only to be robbed of his property? This is not just about Ndubuisi—it is about the safety of every Imo indigene who invests in their homeland. We, the Imo Community in Europe, demand that Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Inspector General of Police, and all relevant authorities take immediate steps to return Plot 57 Liberty Layout to its rightful owner and bring all culprits to justice,” Dr. Agbarakwe stated.
The group further warned that if urgent action is not taken, many Imolites in the diaspora will lose confidence in investing back home, leading to economic setbacks for the state.
“We therefore demand the immediate recovery of Plot 57 Liberty Layout, Owerri, and its rightful return to Mr. Ndubuisi and the immediate arrest and prosecution of Chief Ejike Nwachukwu, Onyekachi Ehirim, and all accomplices involved in the land theft.
“A full investigation should be conducted into the role of police officers who have allegedly enabled this land-grabbing syndicate, and stronger measures taken by the Imo State Government to protect investors and landowners from fraudulent takeovers,” the ICE demanded.
However, the ball is now in the court of the government and law enforcement agencies. Will they uphold justice, or will they allow criminal elements to continue trampling on the rights of Imo citizens? The world is watching to see what happens in the coming days and weeks.
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