By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra state based real estate developer, Chief Ezeayom Chinazor has refuted land grabbing allegations against him, saying they was targeted at smearing his image.
He described the allegation as wicked, insisting that his real estate investments were strictly done according to laws and specifications.
Reacting to a publication titled “Anambra residents raises alarm over illegal structures”, Ezeayom regretted lack of professionalism among media practitioners, especially bloggers in social media.
He said it was high time stakeholders in the media profession rose to the challenge to ensure the image of the profession was not tarnished.
He said, “Every transaction regarding the land was done in accordance to relevant laws and customs governing purchase of lands in Anambra state.
“Owners of the said land Akpukwu family and Anambra State Urban Development Board, ASUDEB, were settled and payment of necessary fees done. Besides, the land was not on erosion prone area as wickedly alleged in the sponsored publication.”
When contacted, Chairman of Akpuwku family, Hon. Emmanuel Mgbadike confirmed the family sold the plot of land to Chief Ezeayom who shares boundary with one Ifeanyi Anaeme, stating that Ezeayom has not done anything wrong.
The chairman who spoke through his vice, Chief Obi Jideofor, rather blamed Anaeme for leaving the land without buying it from the family over five years despite advice from the family for him to buy it.
He said, “The land has more plots before the buffer zone. We had wanted to use the land in question for shopping because when we sell to people they will leave it undeveloped,” he stated.
Contributing, Chairman of Otigba Estate, Chief Anthony Okwuchukwu Ugokwe, confirmed Ezeayom as real owner of the disputed land.
Ugokwe who spoke on behalf of the association said he advised Anaeme to stop his fight against Ezeayom, as he did not do anything wrong to him.
“He was the one who bought the land from real owners Akpukwu family of Nkwelle Ezunaka on October 2016 and has perfected all stipulated condition required by the owners and the state government before he started developing the land.
“Ezeayom has his documents and purchased the land from the owners. I went to Anaeme and told him that he is fighting a battle he would lose. If Anaeme likes let him call the IGP or Head of state, that land belongs to Ezeayom.
“For over five years that the land was empty, why did Anaeme not buy it? He thinks he will get it free of charge, how can the owners give two plots to him free of charge?” he querried.
On his part, Chief Ifeanyi Akaeme who was laying claim to the land and alleged to be behind the said publication, told newsmen that he is the rightful owner of the said portion of land.
“I had earlier bought the land from the Contractor, Chief Bonaventure Mokwe who developed the estate. He left that portion as a buffer zone which by implication belongs to me.
“The same portion is not the property of Akpukwu family as they have earlier ceded it to the contractor who sold it to me,” he said.
