Umuoji Town in Anambra State, Nigeria, is in a rupturing mode as Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd., began moves to take over the community’s land.
In a series of videos, obtained by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) earlier in the day, Chieftains and youths from the four Ebonano villages in Umuoji, including Umuobia, Umuechem, Uruedeke and Ifite came out in their numbers to resist what they regarded as daylight land grabbing.
It could be recalled that DDM, on April 18, 2025, reported that the indigenous people of Umuoji, Abatete, Uke and Ogidi Towns, all in Anambra State, accused Pineleaf Estate, owned by Chief Bishop Onyeka Nzekwesi, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd., of fraudulent land grabbing.
Indigenes of the four towns disclosed this in a disclaimer, video and audio made available to DDM.
In the disclaimer, the indigenes accused Pineleaf Estate of encroaching on their ancestral land.
The affected communities stated that they never, at any time, sold the land to Pineleaf, neither do they intend to do so.
The disclaimer, signed by Mr. Stephen Mbaneme, the Chairman of Ebonano villages, reads:
“We the good people and members of Ebonano villages, made up of Umuobia, Umuechem, Uruedeke and Ifite villages of Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, under the able leadership of Mbaneme Stephen Onuora, wish to notify the general public as follows:
- That the large expanse of land at Mpia Umuoji sharing common boundary with Ogidi Town from the North side, Abatete Town from the East Side and Uke Town from the South belongs to Ebonano villages made up of the above stated villages.
- That it is to our notice that one PINELEAF ESTATE AND PROPERTIES LIMITED is advertising the land for sale.
- That Ebonano villages never at any time sold the land to PINELEAF ESTATE AND PROPERTIES LIMITED neither do we intend to do so.
- The general public is by this disclaimer warned to refrain from engaging or transacting any business regarding the land with PINELEAF ESTATE AND PROPERTIES LIMITED or their agents.”
They warned any person(s) dealing or engaging in any financial transaction with the estate purportedly on behalf Ebonano villages to desist from doing so.
Read details of the report below:
Latest developments, meanwhile, showed that Chief Nzekwesi is not backing down on the adventure.
A video seen by this medium showed Pineleaf workers invading the area with heavy machineries and begun excavation of foundation.
Nzekwesi also arrived the scene with heavily armed security officers including personnel of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Undaunted by the avalanche of security personnel, Umuoji elders and youths mobilised to the scene, ready to take on the invaders.
However, the intervention of the state Police personnel, who asked all parties to maintain status quo, doused the tension.
DDM was availed of some documents from the court warning Pineleaf to steer clear of the environment.
Watch videos:
The Genesis of the Umuoji Saga
Preliminary investigation revealed that one Chief Edwin Ofoma, an indigene of Umuoji, had approached his kinsmen and requested land to erect an automobile industry.
The villagers readily obliged him, counting on the development and the job opportunity that will result for the indigenes.
DDM learnt that they made 34 plots of land available to Chief Ofoma to enable him embark on the enterprise.
Some landowners were compensated, while other counted on the goodwill and job opportunity and declined the compensation.
Unfortunately, the venture could not take off, while Ofoma had surveyed and registered the land in his name.
Shockingly, though, Ofoma mischievously went behind the villagers and surveyed, unbeknownst to them, over 400 plots of land belonging to Ebonano Community and other surrounding towns, including Abatete.
That was what he presented to the Automotive Council of Nigeria for approval, claiming he had met their demand for a given minimum size of land.
DDM was informed that the palace of the late Igwe of Umuoji, HRH Igwe Cyril Nwabunwanne Enweze, also fell into the area surveyed by Ofoma.
Unfortunately, the automotive body did not carry out a physical inspection, to the detriment of the villagers, before giving the approval for an industry to Ofoma.
Eventually, he died along the line, leaving the empty land as an inheritance for his progenies to the chagrin of the community.
Interestingly, the enterpreneur never encroached on the land, knowing fully well what it will result for him, should the original owners discover the mischievous act.
Hence, his deeds remained a secret until his death when the villagers discovered that his son, one Obiora Ofoma, has sold parts of the land to Pineleaf Estate, for development.
Villagers Launch Lawsuit
The villagers kicked against the move and took legal action against him.
A lawsuit, with file number, HID/20/2025, was instituted in June, 2025, at the High Court of Anambra State holden at Ogidi.
See the attached documents below:
The suit was followed by petitions addressed to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security.
See the attached documents below:
See also a document showing a response issued to the House Committee Chairman on Lands, Survey and Town Planning respecting the land in question:
Pineleaf Invades The Land
In the course of these developments, Pineleaf moved into the land with heavy machineries and started clearing the land for construction.
The youths mobilised and chased the “intruders” away, seizing their machineries.
Following the intervention of some well-meaning indigenes, the equipment was released to Pineleaf, after warning them to desist from further encroachment on the land.
It was against this backdrop that hundreds of the chieftains and youths from the four Ebonano villages in Umuoji rose in unison to defend the ancestral land they insisted was fraudulently obtained by Chief Ofoma.
An Umuoji indigene, who spoke to DDM on condition of anonymity, wondered why Pineleaf should resort to self-help when the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He also queried the interest of some officials of the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led administration when the matter has been duly filed before the High Court of Anambra State holden at Ogidi.
“If Nigeria is not a banana republic, they must step aside and maintain status quo until the court renders its verdict,” he fumed.
More details on the Umuoji/Pineleaf saga will be published in subsequent bulletins…
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