CSO submit petition to APC chairman, calls for intervention over land dispute

Mariam Abeeb

A civil rights group has submitted a public petition to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, calling for urgent intervention in a land dispute involving the party’s Anambra gubernatorial candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu.

According to the petition, the group, led by Executive Director Mike Olorunfemi, is acting on behalf of Engr. Dr. Achema Akpa, Managing Director of Zoe New Dawn Nigeria Limited, and several affected subscribers.

The group alleges that Mr. Ukachukwu, through his company Chubi Nigeria Ltd, collected the sum of $1.2 million in 2022 for a land deal in the Lugbe area of Abuja, but has since failed to allocate the land or refund the money.

The petition claims multiple appeals and security agency interventions, including invitations from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, have been ignored by Mr. Ukachukwu.

The group further references a recent incident at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, where tensions escalated after a chance encounter between Mr. Ukachukwu and one of the aggrieved parties. They say the situation resulted in a stampede, which they insist had no political motivations.

“From the petition we received, we gathered that Zoe New Dawn Nig Ltd has a subsisting legal agreement through a memorandum of understanding entered into with Nicholas Ikachukwu through Chubi Nig Ltd that owns the parcel of land at Lugbe area of Abuja which was basically a sales agreement for Mr Ukachukwu to sell the said parcel of land.

“Upon making an initial payment of equivalence of $1.2M in 2022, Mr Ukachukwu has refused to allocate the land and has refused to refund the money paid despite several attempts and pleas to him. It will interest you to Know that we have reported this matter to all security agencies but he has continued to refuse invitation and subvert all our efforts because of his status.

“Sir, the unfortunate incident that happened on Sunday at the Transcorp Hilton was caused by Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, because he saw the person whom he is owing such a huge amount for three years and refused to allow the person to even speak with him, his refusal led to the stampede against him. It is far from the truth to suggest any political undertone towards the incidents,” he stated.

Olorunfemi said that, some of the affected individuals have suffered severe personal and financial consequences over the past three years, including cases of stroke, bankruptcy, and even death. The group insists it has no political affiliations and is only focused on securing justice for the victims.

The petition called on the APC National Chairman to intervene and compel Mr. Ukachukwu to either allocate the promised land or return the funds.

The group emphasized that, it is ready to suspend public protests if a resolution is reached, warning that continued silence may harm the party’s image ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State.

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