Publisher Issues Gov Nwifuru 14 Days Pre Action Notice over Alleged Land Annexation

The Publisher of National Issue Newspaper, Chief Emmanuel Igwe, has issued a formal 14-day final demand to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, over the alleged occupation of his parcel of land located at Plot 110, Park Estate, Abakaliki.

In a letter dated July 18, 2026, Igwe stated that he is the lawful owner of the property and alleged that the state government has entered, occupied, and continued to use the land without his consent and without complying with the provisions of the Land Use Act and Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which govern compulsory acquisition of private property and the payment of compensation.

According to the letter, Chief Igwe claimed he had neither been served with a valid notice of acquisition nor received compensation or any official explanation for the government's continued occupation of the property.

The letter demands that the governor, within 14 days of receiving the notice, either vacate the land and restore possession to him or provide certified copies of all documents relating to any lawful acquisition of the property. 

These documents, according to the demand, should include the notice of acquisition, the purpose of the acquisition, the relevant government gazette, and evidence of compensation paid or offered.

Igwe further maintained that if the land was lawfully acquired for a public purpose, the government should immediately pay full and adequate compensation as required by law.

He warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave him with no option but to institute legal proceedings before a court of competent jurisdiction. 

The proposed suit, he said, would seek recovery of possession of the land, compensation, damages for alleged unlawful occupation, and any other reliefs the court may consider appropriate.

The letter emphasized that the demand was made in good faith and expressed hope that the dispute could be resolved amicably and in accordance with the rule of law.

The Ebonyi State Government had not publicly responded to the claims or the demands contained in the letter.