Nigerian assets may be seized over Enugu deal with Chinese firms – HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised concerns over an alleged Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Enugu State government and Chinese companies.

HURIWA said it could result in the future seizure of Nigerian assets if legal disputes over contentious land in Enugu are not properly resolved.

The group expressed deep concern that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State recently entered into agreements with Chinese companies, and allegedly gave away the ownership of ancestral lands in Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, despite ongoing litigation over the land.

HURIWA pointed out that the governor was seen in China, around the same time President Bola Tinubu was also attending an event in the country.

During his visit, Governor Mbah allegedly signed an MOU with Chinese companies regarding the contentious land, even though the land ownership dispute is currently being litigated in Nigerian courts.

The organisation warned that by signing away the land to foreign companies while legal cases are still pending, the governor risks undermining the rule of law, which could lead to severe international repercussions.

Drawing parallels to a similar incident in Ogun State involving former Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, HURIWA reminded the public of the disastrous consequences when the Ogun State Government entered into a transaction with a Chinese company without federal authorisation.

The fallout led to the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad, including three presidential aircraft.

HURIWA through its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko cautioned that Enugu State could face a similar fate if Governor Mbah’s actions result in future arbitration.

It stated: “Chinese companies could seize Nigerian assets internationally, such as embassy buildings in Beijing, if the court rulings favour the original landowners.

“The Enugu State government should refrain from taking action on these lands until the legal disputes are resolved. If the governor proceeds with this transaction, Nigeria could face another embarrassing situation similar to that in Ogun State, where foreign companies confiscated Nigerian assets.

“Enugu State does not have any assets abroad, so it will be Nigeria’s international assets that will be at risk.”

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HURIWA called on the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify whether the Nigerian President was aware of this MOU signed by the Enugu State Government with Chinese companies.

The group stressed that the president’s visit to China coincided with Governor Mbah’s trip, yet it has been reported that the governor was not part of the official presidential delegation.

HURIWA urged the Ministry to disclose whether they knew this MOU to prevent future international embarrassment.

Beyond the China-related issue, Onwubiko also highlighted the ongoing controversy surrounding the land in Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Council, which originally belonged to four villages—Umunnugwu, Ndiaga, Isiagu, and Umunnajingene.

The group pointed out that the dispute began under previous administrations, but Governor Mbah should have been made aware, through his handover notes, that the land does not legally belong to the government.

According to HURIWA, the land has never been willingly ceded to the state by the original owners, and the current government’s actions, if not checked, could further exacerbate tensions in the area.

HURIWA noted that the land was officially revoked by the government in February 2021, despite being registered by the communities between 2011 and 2014.

The group condemned the demolition of structures on the land, allegedly led by former Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Vitus Okechi, in 2020, which caused significant financial losses to both original landowners and those who had purchased the land.