A firm has dragged the Akwa-Ibom state government and three others before a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital over allegation of forceful take over of land measuring 1,805 hectares.

The claimant in the matter, Serob Legends Resort Limited, are praying the court for N31 billion damages.

The matter, pending before Justice Eme Ekong of the court, is not unconnected with allegations of enchroachment, land grabbing, and forceful takeover of the massive property belonging to Serob Legends Resort Limited.

In May 2024, Mrs Nsidem Etuk, who claims to be the owner of the property, raised an alarm, accusing the state government of forceful take over of the property.

The said property measuring approximately 1,805 hectares is located at the demarcated portion of NITEL Property at Dominik Utuk Avenue, formerly known as Brooks Street, Uyo

The state government, led by Gov. Umo Eno, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, performed the groundbreaking for the construction of a Security Command and Control Centre at the said portion of land.

The governor, during the ceremony also announced that the property would equally accommodate three other projects, including the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) House; the Headquarters of the Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation (AKICORP); and the Akwa Ibom Geographical Information System (AkwaGIS) head office.

The arrangement by the state government assumes full ownership of the property, especially as the government did not pay attention to pleas by Mrs Etuk since last year.

The defendant, in the matter, responded to the originating summons prepared by Counsel to the Claimants, Adeboro Adamson SAN, and others, dated June 24, 2024.

The matter with Suit No: HU/243/2024 has Viro-Tech Projects Limited and Serob Legends Resort Limited as Claimants, while the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibom State Government, Ministry of Lands and Water Resources and Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State are 1st to 4th Defendants.

With a 52-paragraph Statement of Claim, 59-paragraph Witness Statement on Oath, and 17 list of documents attached, the matter seeks: “A Declaration that the Claimants are the rightful owners of All that property measuring approximately 1.805 Hectares (18,504.00 sqm) situates at the Demarcated Portion of NITEL PROPERTY as contained in the Survey Plans being along Dominic Utuk Avenue, formerly known as Brooks Street, Uyo, Uyo Local Government, Akwa Ibom State, partly comprised in the Certificate of Occupancy No. 2/2/71 dated 2nd July 2001, granted by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Asking the court to declare them as valid, legal and subsisting owners of the property, the Claimants seek a declaration that the Defendants do not have any legal capacity, authority, or power, to forcibly enter, demolish, destroy, develop or takeover the Claimants’ parcel of land.

The Claimants seek a declaration that the “Defendants’ acts of forcibly entering, violently destroying, callously demolishing and warful takeover of the Claimants’ parcel of land is unlawful, illegal, and untra vires to Section 49(1) & (2) and 50(2) of the Land Use Acts, (1978) and all other applicable laws.”

While praying the court to declare the Defendant’s action as unlawful, which amounts to trespass, the Claimants asked for an Order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants, from committing any further act of trespass whatsoever, and pay the sum of N1,000,000,000 only as exemplary damages.

They also urged the court to award the sum of N30,120,050,000 as specific damages against the Defendants in favour of the 2nd Claimant for willful destruction and violent demolition of structures in the property.