By Our Correspondent
Tension has mounted in Amichi, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following an alleged confrontation over the control and development of land designated for the New Eke Amichi Market.
The development followed an incident on Friday, August 21, 2026, when personnel said to be acting on behalf of the Nnewi South Development Control allegedly removed and destroyed warning notices erected at the market site by the Registered Trustees of the Amichi Development Union.
The incident has sparked fresh controversy over the ownership, management and development of the property, which action concerned citizens insisted amounted to interference with community land and usurpations of the responsibilities of the Trustees.
In a complaint addressed to the Mayor of Nnewi South Local Government Area, the concerned parties alleged that the former President-General of the Amichi Development Union and the Mayor connived to take control of, mortgage or otherwise deal with portions of land originally granted to the Amichi community by Okpokolo Village for the purpose of establishing a market.
” In line with established Nigerian jurisprudence (Military Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu), government agencies cannot forcibly demolish, remove, or destroy property or notices on private land without a valid court order or due legal procedure.
“The PG has acted ultra vires by executing financial agreements and initiating major real estate development on town union property without the consent or authority of the Registered Trustees, “the concerned group added.
They alleged that major development and financial agreements concerning the property were entered into without the authorization of the Trustees, insisting that corporate property belonging to the incorporated town union falls under the custody of its Registered Trustees in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
The concerned citizens further maintained that notices warning contractors, prospective buyers and investors against unauthorized development had been publicly issued, while a formal directive was reportedly served on the President-General to suspend ongoing activities pending a reconciliation meeting.
The concerned members of the community are now calling for an immediate halt to further interference with the property and urging the Local Government authorities to allow the ownership and authority over the disputed land to be resolved through due process.
They also want an investigation into the alleged allocation, mortgage or other dealings involving the land originally granted by Okpokolo Village for the establishment of the market.
The development has raised concerns among residents that the disagreement could escalate if the parties resort to self-help, with the concerned group urging relevant authorities to intervene and prevent a breakdown of peace in the community.
Report has it that the former PG, Mr Cletus Udebuani allegedly leased lands granted to the community by a kindred for the purpose of developing a market for 80 years to unknown persons without the authorization of the Registered Trustees.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Mayor of Nnewi South Local Government Area or the former President-General regarding the allegations.
On the leadership crisis in Amichi, a report from the community said it had been resolved in an emergency meeting of General Assembly convened by the Trustees on August 21, 2026 when a Caretaker Committee was selected ready to be presented to the Hon Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Affairs, Barr Vincent Ezeaka on Monday, August 24. 2026 while motion to vacate the order has been filed.
Meanwhile, the concerned group has alleged that the market construction might be the reason the former PG wanted an extension of tenure.
