Land grabbing: Family seeks Soludo’s help against Estate developer’s intimidation, harassment

Okwesi family of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State has raised alarm over alleged harassment and intimidation by a real estate developer, who is purportedly using security operatives to unlawfully arrest and threaten family members on their property.

Speaking to newsmen, Chief Charles Okwesi, who is the chairman of the Okwesi family called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and all people of good conscience to intervene to prevail Bishop Onyeka Nzekwe from further harassing them on their property.

He alleged that Nzekwe had previously brought security operatives, including the military and the Police to harass and intimidate them.

He alleged that on each occasion, their people were injured, arrested and detained.

“On another occasion, Nzekwe brought touts and hoodlums who were shooting indiscriminately, but later arrested with about five firearms and taken to Abuja.

“Just yesterday, being Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Nzekwe again allegedly through the State Ministry of Lands brought some men of Civil Defence who beat our people and arrested them but later left them,” he stated.

While lamenting that the increasing use of security operatives illegally by the Chief Executive of Pinleaf is becoming a serious concern, Okwesi alleged that one Mr. Oliver Okeke from Ifite Dunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the State was the person backing him.

When contacted the leader of the Civil Defence team who didn’t mention his name said that they were not sent by the State Command of Civil Defence but by the Ministry of Lands.

He said they arrested some people but they have released them, warning them not to be seen in the land he said was in dispute.

But Okwesi queried when the Ministry of Lands started arbitrating on land disputes, saying that the whole thing was masterminded by Nzekwe who wanted to hijack their ancestral land through the back door which has failed.

When contacted Bishop Nzekwe’s number did not go through but when he spoke with newsmen last time he denied using thugs and security operatives to intimidate and harass the Okwesi family.

The Chief Executive of Pinleaf said he was not a violent man, wondering how he could use violence to settle rifts.