Bulldozers allegedly sent by authorities of the University of Uyo, on February 1, 2016 wrecked havoc to buildings and properties situated in Ekpri Nsukara and Use communities, sending property owners into mourning.
Eye witnesses, who spoke to our reporter stated that at about 1.30 pm, more than twenty truckloads of soldiers, policemen and other security agencies, escorted a team of officials of the Univerity of Uyo into the area and immediately commenced the destruction of buildings. The fierce-looking soldiers dared anybody to come near the area.
House owners stood by and watched helplessly their buildings reduced to rubbles. Owners of plots of land in the area are mostly civil servants who had used the last of their incomes to erect a place they could lay their heads.
Speaking with our reporter, a youth leader in the area lamented the callousness exhibited by the University authorities, who did not give occupants any notice of their intention to carry out such demolitions. He said that youths in the area have resolved to pursue the community’s claim to the land, which is already subject of a legal tussle in suit No HU/337/2015, between Chief Linus Etim Essien & 6 Ors suing for themselves and onbehalf of Ekpri Nsukara, Ikot Anyang, and Ikot Oko Idio villages of Offot clan, and the University of Uyo & Anor, pending in the Akwa Ibom state High Court.
Miffed by the apparent resort to self help by the University, lawyers to the community in a letter signed by the Principal Partner of Ekere Ebong Chamber, Ekere S Ebong Esq, have written to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, expressed surprise that the University could employ self-help in a matter that is already before a competent court, adding that as a lawyer himself, the Vice Chancellor ought to know that what the University has done negates the principle of Les Pendis. The letter noted that efforts the community has put into ensuring that their land, which is the subject of litigation is not appropriated by the University, but regretted that the University has always tried not to take part in any negotiations aimed at resolving the protracted tussle for the ownership of the land.
“It does appear most probably, that the present University management which has chosen to take laws into their hands thereby supplanting the rule of law does not also have regards for the court and the consequences thereof. As the Vice Chancellor who is also a minister in the temple of justice, it will however be in your own interest to stop forthwith the lawlessness exhibited by the staff of the University and allow the court to determine the issue before it”, the letter stated.
A similar letter was addressed to the Akwa Ibom state governor on the matter in which the community’s lawyer traced the beginning of the land dispute and the pendency of a suit to halt the University from further trespass to their land. The counsel, Ekere S. Ebong Esq, further stated that the areas the institution is laying claim to, were not originally among the expanse of land donated to the defunct Cross River State College of Education.
“Our clients have refrained from taking the laws into their hands even in the face of provocation and still believe in the principle of rule of law. We therefore urge you, most respectfully, to intervene in this matter in the interest of justice and direct the University to stop forthwith any action which may lead to a total breakdown of law and order in the state”, the community pleaded through their lawyer.
Our reporter met some of the victims of the destruction and noted the state of depression among them. Speaking to our reporter, a civil servant with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Enefiok Antia, stated that all his life’s savings had gone into the building, adding that he had no idea that the University had anything to do with the land. He stated further that he had surveyed the plot and obtained a certificate of deposit from the Ministry of Land.
“I have put well over N10m into that building. The psychological trauma I am passing through now cannot be quantified. I am simply devastated. To think that this is the same institution my late grandfather served so well and in many capacities now trying to cripple me. It is so sad. Is the VC, who is a professor of law saying there is no law in the country again? How come he could deploy his men to destroy properties in a piece of land, subject of a matter in court?, Mr Antia queried helplessly.
Also reacting, another victim, Mrs Kenneth Idubor and her husband, who is from Edo state, lamented their loses. She said they had pulled their resources to put a shelter over their head, adding that work in the project was commenced in July 2015 and the couple were looking forward to occupy the already finished house middle of this February. She also noted that she had obtained a certificate of deposit from the government and wondered how the same government could approve and then turn back to allow University of Uyo destroy her house.
I have spent well over N25m on this project. That money was entirely my sweat and not stolen money. Please I want the people and government to hear my cry and come to my aid. I have never got any inkling that University of Uyo extends to this place. Are they not supposed to notify us of their claim to the place? I am still in shock.
Efforts to reach the University of Uyo vice chancellor for his comments on the matter were not successful.
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