Anambra State House of Assembly has come hard on the Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Orji, for illegally encroaching on private property belonging to Chief Sabest Uzoeto, ordering him to stay off.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Obi Nweke, while briefing journalists at the Assembly complex, said a petition was brought before the House by Chief Sabest Uchenna Uzoeto, who alleged that his property at No. 39 Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha, was forcefully taken over by the Onitsha South council boss.
The lawmaker said the House, in line with its constitutional powers under Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution, invited both parties, investigated the matter, and sought clarification from the Ministry of Lands, where the ministry confirmed that the property in question legally belongs to Chief Uzoeto.
Hon. Nweke noted that the committee was satisfied that the case was not sub judice as it was not before any court in Nigeria and had never been litigated in the past and therefore indicted the mayor for acting beyond his powers.
Honourable Nweke said the Onitsha South Mayor has no powers to acquire anybody’s land, except the governor, and only for overriding public interest, can he do so, hence his action is ultra vires, illegal, and unacceptable.
The lawmaker frowned at media reports where the Onitsha South chairman allegedly claimed that the matter was in court and that the property belonged to him, describing it as an attempt to undermine the integrity of the Assembly who had ordered him to stay clear.
He advised Hon. Orji to be law-abiding, stop parading false claims, and provide valid proof of ownership if he insists that the land belongs to the council and bring the matter that is subjudice
The Committee recommended that the Onitsha South Mayor should immediately stay off the property, compensate Chief Uzoeto for the items destroyed during the demolition, and desist from usurping the constitutional powers of the governor.
