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Amatta drags Governor to court over land Acquisition

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The people of the Amatta Autonomous community in the Ikeduru Council Area of Imo State have sued state Governor Hope Uzodinma over what they allege is the illegal and forceful acquisition of community land without notice.

The plaintiffs are praying the State High Court sitting at Iho Judicial division in Ikeduru council declare the acquisition as illegal, null and void.

In a SUIT NO. HIH/44/2023. LUCKY OBIYO &11Others vs GOVERNOR Of IMO & 2 OTHERS, Mr Lucky Obiyor, Chairman of the Aladimma Obinnekele Amatta, said that their prayers before the court is the nullification of the purported acquisition of their farmland known as Ofemiri land by the state governor without any negotiation/ agreement with the natives.

“We have gone to court to challenge the illegal acquisition of our farmland by the state government and, our major prayer before the court is the nullification of the purported acquisition because the process and procedure as stipulated in the Land Use Act was not followed. We only read in one of the local tabloids, The ANNOUNCER of February 2023 when the Ministry of Land announced for interested individuals and developers to apply for land allotment at the Ofemiri Amatta. Meanwhile, the purported acquisition of the land started in June 2023.

“How could a state government acquire a community’s land without any negotiations/ agreement with the natives who are the principal land owners? We have already served Governor Hope Uzodinma through his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioners for Lands, and Housing the court processes since last Friday.”

Engr Joe McKenzie said that the procedure for the acquisition of land was not followed and that the Amatta community is praying the court to nullify the purported acquisition because it is suspicious and fraudulent.

“We have gone to court and we served Governor Uzodinma, both the Commissioners of Lands and Housing have been served and they can’t claim ignorance of the court matter. We have also told the Commissioner for Lands that whoever he paid he should do well to collect their money. We will sort it out in court. I have never seen where a government acquires a community land without the knowledge of the natives.”

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Kaduna: Juji residents cry out over abandoned bridge

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Residents of the Juji community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have raised fresh concerns over the abandonment of a bridge project linking the town to Ungwan Gimbiya, warning that the situation has worsened with the onset of the rainy season.

The bridge, which has remained incomplete for several years, is now severely affected by erosion and stagnant floodwaters, leaving it nearly impassable and posing serious risks to residents.

Speaking with reporters, locals described how heavy rainfall often renders the route unusable, disrupting daily life.

“Each time it rains, children can’t get to school, and many parents are unable to leave for work,” a resident said. “We are cut off completely. The waterlogged path is dangerous to cross.”

Community members say the abandoned infrastructure has left them stranded and exposed, especially schoolchildren and traders who rely on the route.

They are calling on the Kaduna State Government and the Kaduna State Roads Agency, KADRA, to urgently resume and complete the project.

“This is no longer a minor complaint, it’s affecting our survival,” one resident added.

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Nigeria has regressed to electoral autocracy – LPPMC

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The Liberal Progressive & Patriotic Members Congress, LPPMC, has observed with dismay that Nigeria has regressed to electoral autocracy and needs constitutional disobedience to reset the system.

In a communiqué issued by the National Coordinator of LPPMC, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, on behalf of 21 other leaders, the Congress stressed the need for an immediate biometric audit of INEC’s voter register, blockchain-based voting systems to prevent tampering, and live streaming of all results collation.

The meeting stated that when courts legitimize electoral heists, democracy becomes tyranny, and resolved to pursue a constitutional amendment to punish judicial officers who subvert electoral justice and impose a 90-day limit for election petitions.

The communiqué stated that 25 years of democracy have not addressed northern marginalization and called for constitutional recognition of power rotation between regions and religions.

On grassroots mobilization, LPPMC says it would launch “Democracy Literacy Campaigns” in all 774 LGAs, assuring that it would reserve 40% of leadership slots for women and youth (per gender policy debates).

LPPMC said, “The 2023 elections showed rigging is now institutionalized. We must act now or lose Nigeria completely.”

It alleged that Labour Party’s hijacking proves the need for new safeguards against political predators and called for the formation of a 37-state Coalition for Electoral Integrity by July 1.

It gave INEC an ultimatum to clean the voter register by August 30 and commence mass voter education by September 12.

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Apo mechanic village traders to shut shops for President Tinubu’s visit, project commissioning

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Traders, mechanics, and shop owners in Abuja’s Apo Mechanic Village said they will temporarily close their businesses on Friday, June 13, to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This is as he commissions a major road project in the area. This is contained in a statement signed by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant, Public Communications and Social Media on Thursday.

According to him, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has  announced that the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II — from Ring Road I (RRI) Junction to Wasa Junction — will be officially commissioned by President Tinubu at 2:30pm.

As part of the arrangements, the Apo-Wasa road will be closed to vehicular movement from 11:00am to 4:00pm to ensure a smooth ceremony and adequate security, the statement added.

He said motorists are advised to use alternative routes during this period.

He said, “Also, traders, mechanics and other shop owners in the Apo Mechanic Village have offered to close their shops tomorrow, to enable them give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a rousing welcome, and participate in the commissioning of the road project.”

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