On that cool morning, 17th February 2024, the people of Obeagu community had commenced their daily routine in and about their villages. Soon, the shrill cry came from the farmland. In the native call for rescue, the crier was warning of tough looking men, menacing and vigorous as they pranced about the homes and the farmlands. They were all masked.
Women were rallied immediately and children were quickly herded into safe places, as nobody knew what was in the offing. Men who picked the initial cry believed that these were the bandits and kidnappers ravaging parts of Northern Nigeria. They are all masked, huge, muscular and menacing.
Pandemonium ensued, but men who were men soon gathered and in organised combat formations, dispersed into the farmlands.
In fact, the vehicles were all bearing the official number plates and inscriptions of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA). “Indeed, the men were masked”, the horrified traditional ruler of Obeagu, Igwe Mike Nnukwu, told this reporter. “I have never seen a thing like that…men driving government vehicles, masking their faces, going about marking people’s homes for demolition; in some cases, using heavy hammer to stamp dents on buildings, and they had strong police backup with them”.
Wednesday, 6th March 2024, the report filtered in to this reporter that persons believed to be working for the Private Estate International West Africa (PEIWA) had stormed homesteads in Obeagu and pulled down the gates leading to the premises of Obeagu Community Civic Hall.
These were like serving the notice that the war of the expanse of lands formally carved out by the administration of Jim Nwobodo (1979 – 1983) for the citing of the University of Science and Technology, (UNITECH) later Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH) and finally Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is still brutally raging. No side appears to be yielding a quarter as none is giving an inch.
This reporter gave his first report a month ago, and intense pressure has now been brought upon him to expand the report to include angles seemingly left out of Part One of the report.
How we came into the project – PEIWA engineer
Chamberlain Mbachu, born and brought up in Enugu, although originally from Anambra State, is the Construction Manager/Project Manager of the Enugu Centenary City project. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, ESUT. He is an employee of PEIWA.
He told this reporter that PEIWA is owned by one Mr. Kingsley Eze, an ICT consultant, native of a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Eze initiated the Enugu Centenary City project in conjunction with a South African company. This foreign partner-company named the proposed city, the Enugu Lifestyle and Golf City, but the government decided to name it the Enugu Centenary City.
According to Mbachu, the project was first discussed at the Enugu State Government Executive Council in 2009, which eventually sent some delegates of its members to South Africa for inspection of the kind of such proposed city, which was claimed to exist in the country. Soon, the issue of where to cite it was raised and it was settled that the land initially marked out for UNITECH/ASUTECH/ESUT, “which had lied fallow would be perfect”.
But was the land lying fallow? He said, ‘Yes’, but the communities, Obeagu and Amechi, said a thunderous, ‘No.’
Mbachu said that searches were conducted and documentation of the land, especially the now disputed gazette was discovered, and which, to him indicated the availability of 1,097 hectares of land. But soon after this discovery, Mbachu said that the issue of paying compensations or settlement of the affected communities arose.
Communities deserve no compensation – Chime
According to Mbachu, the then governor, Sullivan Chime had stated that “demands for compensation have been time-barred”. The then governor was apparently referring to the ‘old book’ arrangement where the communities were bound to ask for and demand their rights of compensation either the Nwobodo era or the immediate succeeding administration.
But the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Anthony Ani, who was also the Attorney General in Chime’s administration reportedly countered, “it is not time-barred”. He was magisterially firm.
In effect, certain Surveyor Emenike, revealed Mbachu, was deployed to map out portions of the lands as compensation to the communities. It was on the outcome that the government now issued a certificate of occupancy covering 1065 hectares. This translates to concession of 32 hectares of the 1097 hectares as compensation to the communities.
Mbachu said that this was the assurance the estate company, PEIWA needed and so proceeded in three actions to realise the objectives:
- Negotiate with communities, the sharing of compensatory plots and other issues;
- Loan of N2 billion from the now defunct Diamond Bank (assets and liabilities now residing with the Access Bank PLC) to finance the business.
- Draw and get the government to sign a New Town Development Agreement (NTDA).
Trouble erupted at the introduction of the first set of actions. The communities were enraged that agreements over their lands could be commenced and concluded without their input. In fact, PEIWA’s first port of call, AmechiUwani, made it clear that they would be a part of the project only on three principles, namely,
- Purpose of acquiring the land must be renegotiated as it was no longer the earlier planned educational purpose;
- Lands taken must be replaced elsewhere as their coming generation would have no place to build, and,
- Compensation must be paid to the community where government is acquiring for overriding public interest.
It was at this point that Governor Chime offered additional 25 hectares, bringing the total to 57 hectares to the communities. This, Mbachu said, was rejected out of hand and the tussle continued until Chime left government. Meanwhile, PEIWA had been on site, selling portions of the lands in designed plots.
Ugwuanyi government duped us, swindled communities – PEIWA
Following the rejection of the 57 hectares offered by PEIWA through the government, the succeeding Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi offered to increase the size, and appointed the State Surveyor General, Mr. Isiwu to redesign the areas, leading to mapping of 130 hectares as compensation to the communities.
Mbachu said that PEIWA accepted this arrangement and so released the 130 hectares of land in the Amechi areas to the state government.
The unthinkable happened
To PEIWA’s greatest shock, he revealed, the government reneged on its decision. “Not even a square foot or metre of land was released to the communities. Instead, the government assigned all the 130 hectares to three other private estate developers, COPEN Services Limited, a firm said to be promoted by one Chief Ugo Chime; Diaspora Gardens Estate, allegedly owned by one Ms. Ola, a cousin or front of the Governor and Value House Limited, allegedly linked to the former deputy governor of Enugu State, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi.
“Chai! Chai! Chai! Nothing for the communities at all”, Mbachu was now convinced that PEIWA was duped and the communities swindled.
But the government was not done taking more hectares. “The governor called us and demanded that we release additional 220 hectares of land to be distributed to communities as compensation”, the engineer said. “PEIWA refused. More troubles started.
PEIWA goes solo, adopts George Tubman Goldie strategy
Ever heard of the Nigeria-colonial historical figure called George Tubman Goldie? He was the boss of Lord Fredrick Lugard; founder of United African Company, African Trading Company, etc. He alone created the country called Nigeria.
Very likely, one of PEIWA strategists must be a historian or student of colonial territorial acquisition history.
When the conquering Africa as colonial possession posed a challenge to colonial British George Tubman Goldie, he called in his team and read out his strategy: “take them in bits…pretend to be the friends of the yet to be targeted group…subdue the nearest ones by either outright purchase (inducement) or most unkind military force (coercion); induce division among them and take them one bit after the other. Divided, they fall, united we fail”.
Of course, Goldie succeeded and by 1898, his companyhad amassed a total of 923, 768 square kilometres of territories translating to two huge countries, Southern and Northern protectorates, all now called Nigeria.
Mbachu does not think they had such in mind. But, in his words, PEIWA was broken. They just wanted to get out of a quagmire made more difficult by human frailties. Time, he said, was running out. Outstanding on the loan from the bank was mounting in interests and management fees. Communities were getting more restive, especially as allegedly induced by emerging interests. The government or its functionaries, he further asserted, had proven to be grossly unreliable if not dubious.
To worsen the fears of PEIWA, he said, a group called. ‘The Masquerades’ emerged from the blues and “started causing havoc” on the scene. It was soon followed by another ‘dreadful group’ headed by a lady named Ola, who was claimed to be related to and serving the interest of the then government. Previously, PEIWA’s first surveyor, Victor Nnam, Mbachu was allegedly snatched by government and made the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Enugu State. PEIWA believed that this move was to seize and hold the man who would give some land Mafiosi in government the required information to manipulate events in the Centenary City.
So, PEIWA swiftly commenced its bit-by-bit agreements, isolation of larger communities, to amass tons of written memorandums of understanding with families, kindreds, villages and clusters within the communities.
One of these was the Memorandum of Understanding between PEIWA of one part, and Timothy Ogbodo, Chief Okonkwo Nwobodo, Barrister Emeka Agu, Mr. Innocent Agu, Mr. Emeka Nnamani and Mr. Dominic Agu of the other part. It evidences the cession of 75 percent of the lands originally owned by the specific family/community to PEIWA whereas the remainder of 25 per cent reverts to the community to be shared, owned and managed as personal estates of the signatories identified as “beneficiaries”.
Another was between PEIWA, now as ‘grantor’ and Chief Samuel Ifeanyi Nnamani, Pastor Enoch Nnamani, Hon. Sunday Nnamani, Chief Elder Michael Nnamani and Chief Ikechukwu Nnamani, all identified as ‘Beneficiaries.” The ‘beneficiaries” were given a total of 31 plots of the land, formerly belonging to the community, as compensation. In effect, they also covenanted to “instantly withdraw from the suit Nos. E/437/2012: Chief Okonkwo Nwobodo 7 Ors vs. Attorney General of Enugu State & Ors”.
Yet, another was between PEIWA as ‘Grantor” of one Part, and Elder (Chief) Oko Onovo, Elder (Chief) Emmanuel Nsude Oko, Elder (Chief) Ogbonna Agbo, Elder Emeka Nsude, Chief Diribe Nwafor, Chief Anthony Nwoye, Chief Innocent Nnamani, Rev. Emeka Oko, Messrs Isaiah Chukwu, Ekene Onovo and Emeka Nnaji, as “beneficiaries” of the other part. In this arrangement, this group closely identified as distinct families in Umuewo Ukwu, Amuzam Obeagu Awkunanaw ceded their 20 hectares of lands to PEIWA of which about five hectares were returned to the kindred by the virtue of this agreement as compensation and final settlement.
According to the documents he showed this reporter, similar agreements were reached respectively between PEIWA and Umuchimereze of Amechi Uwani; Umuegbo/Umunganvene; UmuNsude Aga Onovo, UmuArgom and Aga Ewoh families in Ndiagu AmechiUwani; Umunshiede, Umu Onashi, Umuewoede in Amechi Uwani-Awkunanaw and Umuanionu family/Umuchimereze kindred of Amechi Uwani.
So far, more than 20 of such understandings have been reached. The Goldie strategy is working, though vehemently denied by PEIWA.
Blue murder
The various communities affected by the Goldie strategy of PEIWA, the government and other players view these as the most wicked attempts at robbing the people of their heritage and future of their children.
“That thing you call PEIWA, which is Festus Uzor and Kingsley Eze is a liar”, declared the President General of Obeagu Community, Chief Andy Egbo. In his words, it is “pure divide and rule tactic at play, and it will fail”.
He argued that his people knew what was required in acquisition of lands from communities living in deemed-granted areas. “How can a private company, hiding behind people close to government just seize our lands, percellate them and sell off for their private gains, all in the name of governors being in charge of lands?.
He said that his people were shocked and had wondered what gave PEIWA “the audacity to come and seize our lands, not for the earlier planned educational (ASUTECH/ESUT) project but for an individual to make profit. If government is genuinely desirous of creating a modern city, let it lay out the development plan, publicise the city master plan and leave the owners of the land to proceed with the handling of the lands”.
He believed that if there was sincerity abinitio, government would have designed the public areas such as commercial, residential, business and other districts, then leave the natives and real estate players to follow up with complying with the master-plan.
He was corroborated by Chairman of Ndinwuba village, Ifeanyi Agbo Mba, where a section of the community had entered into an MoU with PEIWA. According to him, “we settle village by village in Obeagu as any other community in Igbo land”. He said that the signatories from his village were used as mere tools in the hands of PEIWA and will achieve nothing”.
He alleged that those signatories were induced with N4 million each, wherein some had bemoaned their plight, claiming that they were duped and were not even paid as promised.
Mba said that most of the signatories in his village had been men known and classified as never-do-wells. Although four of them, he said, had rescinded their role in what he called “the shameful treachery of Ndinwuba-Obeagu”.
In Amechi, where some factions have been at play in community response to the Centenary challenge, one of the leaders, Nnaji Sunday White, was vehement. He declared, “no matter what Festus Uzor and Kingsley Eze do in creating division and planting hatred in our erstwhile peaceful neighbor-love-neighbour Awkunanaw, the truth stands out. We did not give our lands to government to give to a private profit maker. We did not give to this profit-driven people you call Private Estates or PEIWA or whatever. We did not now give any mandate for the few greedy men they have captured to cede our lands. We have said it, the ASUTECH or ESUT cite we gave our lands for has been moved to Agbani. The land has reverted to us as it was never utilized in the first place. We have not released it to anybody”.
Nnaji lamented about some people he called political vultures in Amechi who he said had sold their souls to money. According to him, this group had, gone against advice and collected “190 plots of land from PEIWA as compensation for 8, 000 plots” they agreed to cede to the private business men. “They are not bothered about the future of their children, the possible place of abode of their children, the chances of erecting industries or economic ventures to provide employment for their children. They are concerned about 190 plots for which they want to shamelessly give away a whole 8,000 plots of their ancestral lands”.
What irritated him most was that the whole business was being packaged by people in government to be of benefit to one or two businessmen, for nothing. “Is that what the Land Use Act says?”, he queried. “We thought that it should be about overriding public interest, not the interest of some greedy business men. Such business men should find money and meet communities to buy lands, to build, not use government and few greedy native political elites to dispossess the communities”.
Nnaji regretted that ECTDA had always been used by the developers in oppressing the Amechi and Obeagu people. According to him, when Mbachu approached the community and made an offer of 25 percent of the lands to the community, so that PEIWA would take 75 percent, the leaders wondered what manner of business men they were. “You come into a community and just because you are related to government, you now talk of taking 75 percent of the lands so that the community would compress into a mere 25 percent. So, what did this Festus Uzor and Kingsley Eze think they are?” he queried. “Any way, we rejected such evil proposal”.
Reminded that Uzor had maintained to this reporter that he had no hand in PEIWA, he almost laughed his head off. “And you believe him, journalist”? He said that Amechi had eventually offered PEIWA 30 percent of the land only if their mission beyond private profit was explained to them.
So what was their response? “They came with ECTDA bulldozers and pulled down some of our buildings. I was personally affected”, he recounted.
But could it be that PEIWA is desperate to increase its volume of business to save its neck from the banks which had funded its operations?, this reporter asked.
Nnaji’s face reddened. “What is our business with the so called loan? Was even a penny of it spent on Amechi soil? They should go to the business they invested the money to get the money to pay the bank. People know where they invested the loan. So, let them recover the money from wherever they invested the money. Journalist, why are you not even questioning the morality of a private business man using another person’s land as collateral to obtain loan. Is it done”?
The masquerade and other impediments
Give no quarter…take no quarter! Usual war cry for stalwart fronts.
When PEIWA’s Mbachu was asked what their hardest constraints had been, he said: “The government of Enugu State from 2017 – February 2023 had severely impeded our progress on development of the Centenary. Enugu State government, he said, had turned its back on PEIWA when it refused the demand for additional 220 hectares. 130 hectares initially released by PEIWA had been lost, not even a plot was accounted for. He said: “We found it strange that a whopping 130 hectares, not acres, not plots, just disappeared and were converted to purposes other than they were created. They were diverted to the assigns of other private estate developers emerging in the Centenary”.
Consequently, Mbachu said that a Mafiosi kind of group he called ‘Masquerades’ emerged on the scene. This masquerade, he alleged, was created by the departing government of Ugwuanyi and had soon constituted the worst nightmare to PEIWA. He recalled: “I have been arrested and detained many times. Once or twice, I was arrested there on site and flown to Abuja and detained. Sometimes, I wore one set of clothes for a week or so, because I was always shuttling Abuja or Zone 9 or Zone 13, either from site or from anywhere. I was never given the chance to organise”.
He believed that the government had created the MASQUERADE to chase PEIWA away. Attempts were made to reach former Governor Ugwuanyi but he appears to have locked out this reporter as others since leaving government.
The question was now returned to Mbachu: Who are the Masquerades? He was unabashed in his response. “The Masquerade is a group created at the instance of the past Government by one Ifeanyi Paddy-Eke”.
Paddy-Eke, this reporter recalls, was an iconic Igbo language broadcaster, who once served as a member of the Board of Enugu State Broadcasting Services, a parastatal of Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism when this reporter served as the Commissioner.
The young Paddy-Eke, Mbachu said, was well connected within the security architecture in Nigeria and “he can cause ruptures as shady as his background, here and there”, he further alleged.
The search for Paddy-Eke did not take long. More than seven sources readily sent his numbers. But before this reporter created the time to call, he did.
Paddy-Eke spoke like a polished gentleman, with boundless self-confidence. “I am Ifeanyi Paddy-Eke, from Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. I run a survey and estate related consulting company named Titanium and we currently operate in Enugu, Imo, Anambra, and some other areas of Nigeria. We entered into development partnerships with both Obeagu and Amechi Awkunanaw communities. Our briefs include but not limited to surveying, percellating, auditing, improving on lands and promoting the ancestral lands of these communities for their uses and marketing. Now, Sir, with that kind of open dealings and traceable partners, is it proper to call me a masquerade”? he asked politely.
And who brought you into Amechi and Obeagu,? this treporter asked. “In Amechi, I was led in by Chief Richard Nnamani and other notable community leaders. Everything we do there is transparent. In Obeagu, we were brought in by Igwe Mike Nnukwu, the traditional ruler; the P.G, Chief Andy Egbo and former member, Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Paul Ogbe. We do nothing in secret. With this kind of open leaders, made by the same people, leading their people openly and fearlessly, you cannot accept to call me a Masquerade”, Paddy-Eke responded.
This reporter requested, “what about the government angle? PEIWA said that it was the government which inserted you on the scene to cause trouble”?
“There is nothing like government angle. Associating me with the past governor of Enugu State will be the worst de-marketing anybody can reduce me to. He is not my kind of person. Indeed, I participated in frustrating his senatorial ambition in the last election. I am one of those who stand to be counted among the people who reject his era in government. He slept through his 12 years in the House of Representatives. He achieved nothing in the eight years in the state”, Paddy-Eke said.
The allegations and all heckling, Paddy-Eke held, was because his partnership with the communities had led the cheated people into the truth of the secret dealings going on in their farm lands, now called Centenary. “The people now know the number of plots they have in each of the participating communities. They now know that the value of their estates can improve beyond the speculated prices if little efforts were made and proper development trajectory adopted. But above all, their property is now audited and they know the number of plots they are being cajoled or coerced or tricked into giving away. We are bringing order into the entire space and that is what appears to upset the others, particularly Private Estates Company” he further said.
Paddy-Eke also said that he found it strange that PEIWA would complain about the operations of Titanium when it was only working at empowering the people to understand the articles of trade in their dealings with real estate, industrial and commercial investors.
“The problem with the Centenary builders”, he insisted, “was that they never realised that it was dangerous for them to factionalise the people – divide and rule – and think that they would not seek assistance wherever they can get it…this is just the beginning”.
Way forward
This is offered in striking interviews with former Chairman of ECTDA, Umunnakwe Onoh; the traditional ruler of Obeagu, Igwe Mike Nnukwu; leader of Amechi, Chief Richard Nnamani; two-time Commissioner for Lands and one of the men alleged to be a Masquerade on the scene, Dr. Festus Uzor; some members of Amechi-Awkunanaw-190-plot beneficiaries; and lawyers deep in land law, among others…
Keep a date with the next edition.
Ogazimorah, attorney at law, was the pioneer Group Political Editor of The Post Express newspapers, and later Editor of Hallmark newspapers, all in Lagos. He served as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, and later the Commissioner for Information Strategies, Culture and Tourism
