A fresh development in a land ownership feud between Eke-Anyanwu Family and Gateway International Church in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State was recorded following a threat of litigation by one of the community leaders against both the church and the chairman of land grabbing committee in the area.
Chief Colnel Ogwumerum Eke of Eke-Anyanwu Family of Rumuagholu denied reports that he has been trying to take land from the church in Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road saying the report is baseless.
According to him, the controversy started when the church through its pastor Mr. Matthew Ogaran came out to claim ownership of the land in dispute.
Read Also: Rivers Court Dismisses PDP Suit Against Chukwuemeka, RSIEC
In response to the accusation, Chief Eke made it clear that the piece of land called Ohia-Agbada Esilaru is owned by his family and supported by court ruling.
Neither him nor his family has any business relationship with the church, hence his surprise at being embroiled in the controversy.
The community leader appealed to the people to ignore the accusations, emphasizing that anybody who makes transactions on the land without the permission of the Eke-Anyanwu Family does so at their own peril.
Eke threatened to take legal actions against Gateway International Church in case of failure to offer him an apology and retract their statement in five days.
Furthermore, he disagreed with the allegation that had been made against him by Chief Alex Wele, the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Landgrabbing Committee. Wele is alleged to have said that he deserves to be imprisoned for what he did.
Accordingly, Eke maintains that he still has an untarnished reputation and, therefore, encourages those responsible for the dispute to check the status of the ownership through court documents.
