Tension in Abia community over proposed cassava processing plant on disputed land
Tensions Rise in Obinolu Chukwu Over Proposed Cassava Processing Plant
UMUNNEOCHI, Abia State — The Obinolu Chukwu community in the Umunneochi local government area is facing heightened tensions following a proposal to establish a cassava processing plant on land that is currently under dispute, despite an existing court order prohibiting such actions.
Community members have voiced strong objections to the project, urging all involved parties to adhere to the ruling issued by Justice Chido Nwakamma regarding the community’s land.
Concerns were further amplified after Umunneochi local government Chairman Sunday Afurobi met with Eze L.O. Uche, the traditional ruler of Obinolu, to discuss the siting of the processing plant on the controversial land.
Sopuruchukwu Gold, a local resident, highlighted that the Abia State High Court in Umunneochi, through suit No. HUM/11/2025, has explicitly restrained defendants from surveying or parceling the land until the case is resolved.
Gold cautioned that any breach of the court’s restraining order, issued on April 30, could jeopardize the peace within the community. He appealed to Chairman Afurobi and others involved in the proposed project to halt their plans pending the court’s final decision and other reconciliation efforts.
Residents have also called on Governor Alex Otti and local security agencies to take immediate action to prevent potential unrest by intervening in the matter.
In response to the situation, Chairman Afurobi stated he was unaware of the land dispute and emphasized that the project was intended to promote job creation and economic development.
“We have written to the Ndi Ezes, and they showed me one land. If they have a court injunction, I don’t know,” Afurobi remarked.
He noted that the traditional rulers planned to consult the judge for permission to proceed with the project and indicated he might relocate it to another community if there is resistance from Obinolu Chukwu.
