The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has commenced investigations into allegations of illegal logging in Ekuri forest communities in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The probe followed separate petitions submitted by two civil society organisations in the state, the Rainforest Resource & Development Centre (RRDC) and the Panacea for Developmental and Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-Africa), accusing Ezemac International Limited of unlawful logging activities in both Old and New Ekuri community forests.

RRDC, led by its Executive Director, Prince Odey Oyama, and PADIC-Africa, headed by Dr Martins Egot, who is also a community leader in New Ekuri, alleged that between January 9 and 12, 2026, Ezemac International Limited, through its Managing Director, Mr Ezenwa Igwe, deployed heavy machinery into the New Ekuri Community Forest without community consent or lawful forest allocation.
According to the petitioners, the equipment allegedly included two bulldozers, one excavator and between four and five heavy-duty trucks, which were used to harvest mature trees within what they described as a protected ecological corridor.

They alleged that the logging activities were unplanned, unsustainable and carried out without valid export authorisation.
In its petition, RRDC urged NESREA to conduct an urgent compliance and enforcement inspection, investigate the company’s export-related activities and examine its compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and the NESREA Act of 2007.
The organisation also called for appropriate sanctions where violations are established, warning that failure to act could undermine existing presidential directives on logging.

Similarly, PADIC-Africa alleged that lawful community forest governance in Ekuri was being undermined through intimidation, adding that law enforcement actions appeared to favour corporate interests over environmental protection and community rights.
Dr Egot said the New Ekuri community was demanding the immediate removal of all Ezemac equipment from the forest, a transparent investigation into the legality of the company’s operations, an independent environmental damage assessment, and an injunction restraining Ezemac and its agents from accessing the forest pending the outcome of investigations.
He also called for the protection of community leaders and youths from harassment and criminalisation.

In response, NESREA said it had commenced actions to establish the veracity of the allegations and ensure that presidential directives on logging for export were not violated.

Speaking at a briefing organised by PADIC-Africa in Calabar on Thursday, January 22, the Director and State Coordinator of NESREA, Comrade Raymond Anunobi, said officials of the agency were in the state on the directive of the Director-General, Prof Innocent Barikor, to investigate the issues raised.
“We are here to ensure that the laws are binding and properly regulated. We assure Nigerians that justice will be done,” Anunobi said.

He warned that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law, adding that NESREA had received the petitions and would carry out its mandatory investigations.
He also urged civil society groups and communities to promptly alert the agency to environmental infractions, noting that early intervention could prevent unnecessary confrontations with law enforcement agencies.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of Ezemac International Limited, Mr Ezenwa Igwe, denied any involvement in illegal logging in the New Ekuri protected community forest.

“I have a permit. I generate revenue for the state and local governments. I have over 180 workers across Cross River State and I operate a standard factory,” he said.
Igwe also denied logging for export, stating that his company processes wood locally. “I recycle my wood. I don’t take wood outside the state,” he said.

“I process my wood in Ugep where I make doors. If what I am doing is illegal, the Forestry Commission would not give me documents or allow me to operate. I am not involved in illegal logging.”

Meanwhile, the Cross River State House of Assembly is expected to meet with all parties involved on January 27 to hear from them and seek a resolution to the dispute.