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By Iheanyi Chukwudi
Respite may soon come on the way of two communities of Enugu State, Obeagu and Amechi-Uwani Awkunanaw in Enugu South Local Government of the state, as the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition has waded into the land dispute between them and private developers.
Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Mike Etaba , has assured the warring groups, that it would ensure that justice is done in the matter when he spoke at an investigative hearing, at the weekend.
Obeagu and Amechi-Uwani Awkunanaw communities petitioned the House alleging plots by some highly placed persons to grab their land, Enugu Centenary City, in breach of extant laws.
The communities pointed accusing fingers at some police officers, for allegedly providing cover to land grabbers to harass and hound their people.
The communities, under the aegis of Concerned Kindred Families of Amechi Uwani Awkananaw, Chief Chinweuba Nnaji Aga, in their petition to the House, said they have allegedly been subjected in incessant harassment by land grabbers.
The communities, while alleging that there have also been unresolved murder cases in the area, drew the attention of the House to alleged “persistent invasion of our community and the numerous arrests of our people by the Enugu State Police Command.”
They prayed the lawmakers to compel the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to direct the Department of Force Intelligence (DFI), and Zone 13 Command, Dunukofia, to charge all cases reported, against land grabbers , and investigations concluded, to court.
Their petition reads on parts, “In the case of DFI, our case which investigation had been concluded since 2021, and the case-file reportedly forwarded to the DPP appears to have been buried. It is our request that you demand for update in respect of this case-file and ensure it is resurrected and revisited for the interest of justice.
“You are certainly our only hope, and we wish that this exercise is not going to be a mere window dressing."
They further said it will be purposeful, fruitful, focused, forceful, and courageous to use your constitutional powers to reprimand any person, group of persons, official or institution which may be found wanting, that you will take far reaching decisions to end this onslaught against us, and also to see to their enforcement, without fear or favour, spite or ill will.
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