24th September 2025
The villages of Umuobia, Umuechem, Ifite and Uruedeke called Ebonano Community of Umuoji Town in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have dragged Pineleaf Estate owned by Chief Bishop Onyeka Nzekwesi before the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof.Chukwuma Soludo over allegations of land grabbing.
This was contained in a petition dated September 12, 2025, filed by the law chamber of Ifeanyi Enemo, on behalf of Ebonano Community and made available to journalists in Awka, on Tuesday.
In the petition, the petitioners alleged “Continuous harassment destruction and threat to lives of my clients on Mpia Land, Umuoji, by Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd by armed soldiers and other security operatives brought by Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd.”
The petitioners urged Soludo to intervene into the matter to avoid further escalation of tension in the communities.
The petition reads, “I act as Solicitor for the Villages of Umuobia, Umuechem, Ifite and Uruedeke called Ebonano Community of Umuoji in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“This is the second letter my clients are writing to you following the unlawful invasion of their land by Pine Leaf Estate & Properties Ltd together with armed soldiers.
“The first time my clients came to the office of your Special Adviser on Security, followed a petition written by Pine Leaf Estate & Properties Limited, Eddy Motors Ltd, Mr. Obiora Ofoma and Bank of Credit and Commerce Limited dated 215′ March 2025. On that occasion, these aforementioned Companies invaded and destroyed my clients’ Mpia lands with Bulldozers and Caterpillars together with armed soldiers on the 15th December 2024 and 18th February 2025 respectively.
It was while our report to the Inspector General of Police and the AIG NPF Zone 13 Ukpo was being looked into, that they ran and lodged another petition in your office to distract the Nigerian Police.
“These aforementioned companies further petitioned to the Chairman House Committee on Survey and Town Planning. My clients replied to all the Petitions and appeared in all these offices each time, these companies absconded.
“Being unduly harassed, intimidated and for fear of breach and break down of law and order, my clients sued these companies and ObioraOfoma at the High Court Ogidi in Suit No. HID/201/2025; Stephen Mbaneme& 3 OrsVs Eddy Motors Ltd & 3 Ors.”
It was gathered that Pineleaf Estate& Properties Ltd is the third defendant in the suit, and they have been served.
The presiding Judge in Court 1 Ogidi, Justice A. Okumah, has fixed all preliminary motions for December 2, 2025.
According to the petition, on September 11, 2025, a group of armed soldiers and policemen, together with workmen, allegedly led by officials of Pineleaf Estate and Properties Ltd, invaded the Mpia Communal Lands of the petitioners which is already pending before the High Court.
“They used caterpillars and brushed and cleared vast portions of the land, destroyed the farms of my clients (in this period of economic hardship), planted signboards and changed the character of the land.
They threatened to shoot at sight anyone who disturbs their actions. On being accosted by the elders, they claimed they were sent by the company to invade and takeover my clients’ land by force despite the matter being in Court.
“Your Excellency Sir, Pineleaf Estates & Properties Ltd. does not have one single registered document in its name.
“Rather it hides on the back of Eddy Motors Ltd, ObioraOfoma, without any sales agreement to falsely claim my clients’ lands.
“They are merely causing problems with impunity of utter disregard for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which vests exclusive powers on the courts to determine disputes.
“We attach all previous relevant documents with your office, the State House of Assembly and the Court Summons for your easy reference and record, Sir. Kindly bring Pineleaf Estate & Properties Ltd to order.”
The petition was signed by IfeanyiEnemo, Counsel for Umuechem, Umuobia, Ifite and Uruedeke Villages (Ebonano), Umuoji.
It was copied to the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director General of DSS, AIG NPF Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, The State Director of DSS and the Press.
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