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The Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike has allegedly boasted that not even the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, can stop him from forcefully taking over a plot of land belonging to a businessman Mr. Edwin Ezema at 195 Ikot Ekpene Road, Ehere, Obingwa LGA.
Nwadike, who was sworn into office in November 2024 by Governor Otti, is accused of making moves to confiscate one out of two plots legitimately acquired by Mr. Ezema. Available documents show the land was originally registered in 1996.
Investigations reveal that Mr. Ezema purchased the two plots in 2023. A commercial plaza had stood on the land for years before it was demolished by Mr. Ezema on the advice of the Obingwa Town Planner, who recommended reconstruction due to structural cracks.
Before commencing development, Ezema reportedly informed Mayor Nwadike of his plans and even received his approval. Shockingly, after demolition, the Mayor allegedly returned to claim that only one plot belonged to Mr. Ezema while the other was “Obingwa Council land,” with intentions of reselling it. Frequent visits by surveyors to the site have fueled speculation of an impending resale.
Ezema is now appealing to Governor Otti to intervene and protect his legally acquired property from what he describes as an attempt at forceful takeover.
When contacted, Hon. Nwadike politicized the issue, alleging that the land was sold to Mr. Ezema by PDP members in 2023. However, his claim has been found to be false , as records trace ownership back to 1996, and the Transition Mayour who oversaw the area in 2023 tDr. Eric Egwuibe, never interfered.
Part of the documents sighted by our correspondent was the judgement of the Abia State High Court , Obingwa Judicial Jurisdiction which as far back as 2007 delivered a landmark Judgment where it held that the Land legally belongs to the original owners and no Government had interfered in the ownership.
Sources suggest that the rapidly appreciating property values in the area may be driving the alleged attempt to seize and resell one out of the two plots for personal benefit.
Despite requesting Mr. Ezema to submit all relevant documents for verification, which he did, the Mayor has reportedly stalled the process for months claiming that he was still investigating, while insiders allege secret plans are underway to sell off the one plot.
