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| One of the demolished buildings INSERT:Ekere Afia |
The recent demolition of over ten houses at Ifa Ikot Akpan Community in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on the orders of a former member representing Uyo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Ekere Afia, has attracted the ire of the village council and victims of the exercise, who have produced relevant documents to prove that they are the bonafide owners of the plots of land.
It could be recalled that on August
3rd, 2016, Hon. Ekere Afia stormed the community with
bulldozers and a team of heavily armed uniformed men, ordering the demolition of
the houses on grounds that they were built on a land he purchased in 2014.
However, the village council and
victims have refuted such claims, saying they have never done any financial
transaction with Ekere Afia.
In a chat with newsmen, Chairman of
the village council, Chief Edet Okon, stated that in 2015, when the community
got wind of Ekere’s land grabbing attempt, they summoned him but he refused to
appear before the council. He added that the issue was duly published in a
tabloid.
Speaking further, Chief Okon
revealed that investigation by the village council revealed that Ekere Afia did
business with a certain Arit Eyo, who is said to be a land sales’ agent.
According to him, Arit and Ekere Afia did not negotiate with the land owners
and members of the village council.
Chief Okon said that the indigenes
of the community inherited the plots of land from their forebears and provided
relevant documents as proof.
The Village Head, Chief Edem Aniedi
Ebong, corroborated the points raised by the chairman of the village council
and promised that the community will leave no stone unturned in their quest for
justice.
The royal father revealed that the
community sought redress in court when it was apparent that Ekere Afia is
hell-bent in his land grabbing mission, adding that he (Afia) has however
refused to appear in court.
One of the victims, Mr. Idorenyin
Edem Effiong, told journalists that he built a two bedroom flat on the plot of
land he inherited from his late parents, who were buried on the very plot. When
asked if he received prior order to vacate the land, he disclosed that in 2015,
he alongside others received an order of vacation from Uyo Capital City
Development Authority (UCCDA). He revealed that when they sought clarification
from UCCDA, they were pointedly told by the agency that it was Ekere Afia who
has directed them to act.
Mr. Idorenyin Effiong who is a
professional tailor told our reporter that he is seeking refuge in a church
with his wife and two kids.
When contacted, Hon. Ekere Afia
insisted that he purchased the 23 hectares land in 2014, adding that two
hundred and forty million naira was paid in various installments to the owners
through someone he refused to mention.
When asked if he has all the
documents to backup his claims, his answer was negative.
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