Description

In the verdant landscapes of Etung Local Government Area, Cross River State, a protracted dispute over the Abonita Cocoa Estate has intensified, drawing in allegations of intimidation, legal confrontations, and questions about land ownership.

At the heart of the controversy is Mr. Mbu Liku, a cocoa farmer accused by fellow cultivators of employing military personnel to intimidate and displace them from their allocated plots.The aggrieved farmers, operating under the umbrella of the Njor and Cocoa Allottees group, allege that soldiers, in the company of Liku, have repeatedly harassed them, particularly during critical farming periods. One such incident reportedly occurred on a Saturday when farmers were tending to their crops, only to be confronted by armed individuals .

Liku has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he has never enlisted military assistance against his peers. He contends that the accusations are orchestrated by rivals aiming to tarnish his reputation and disrupt his farming activities.

The Nigerian Army has also weighed in, with Captain Jemila Jimoh of the 13 Brigade in Calabar stating that no soldiers were officially deployed to assist any civilian in such matters. She emphasized that any personnel found engaging in unauthorized activities would be subject to disciplinary action .

Complicating the matter further is the ownership status of the disputed 32 hectares of cocoa plots. Initially ceded to Chief Ogar Assam’s family, the Cross River State Government later retracted this decision, admitting that the land was mistakenly allocated and remains state property.

This reversal has added layers to the legal battles, with multiple court orders instructing Liku to refrain from accessing certain plots pending the resolution of ongoing cases .

As tensions escalate, stakeholders are calling for a thorough investigation into the use of military personnel in civil disputes and the enforcement of court directives. The situation underscores the complexities of land ownership and the importance of upholding the rule of law to ensure peace and justice in the region.