Land grabbing: ICPC goes after Imo surveyor general

The Surveyor General of Imo State, Surv. Bob Odidika, has been dragged before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of illegal land parcellation and fraudulent sales in Nkaraha Community, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.

In a petition addressed to the ICPC Chairman, Nze Cletus Nwauwa, a concerned indigene of Nkaraha, accused the Surveyor General of engaging in a fraudulent land deal that blatantly disregards a Supreme Court judgment.

According to the petition, the Supreme Court, in suit number SC/205/2005, had conclusively determined that an 18,000-plot estate in the community rightfully belonged to Mr. Matthew Akpelu. However, some individuals who lost the case allegedly conspired with Surv. Odidika to override the court’s decision by illegally subdividing and selling portions of the estate to unsuspecting buyers.

The petitioner described the alleged actions of the Surveyor General as not only illegal but also a direct affront to the rule of law. He stated that by proceeding with the parcellation and sale of land that has already been adjudicated by the highest court in the land, Surv. Odidika is in contempt of court and is actively participating in the defiance of a final and binding ruling.

He further accused the Surveyor General of abusing his office for corrupt personal gain by leveraging his position to aid and abet the fraudulent transaction.

Beyond the legal implications, the petitioner warned that the unlawful land transaction is already fueling tension within the community and neighboring areas. He expressed fears that if the situation is not urgently addressed, it could escalate into violent clashes, destruction of property, and a general breakdown of law and order. The illegal land deal, he argued, is not just a case of corruption but also a serious security threat that requires immediate intervention from relevant authorities.

In his petition, Nwauwa called on the ICPC to investigate the role of Surv. Odidika in the fraudulent land deal and ensure his immediate arrest and prosecution. He also urged the anti-corruption commission to prosecute all other officials found to be complicit in the illegal scheme, stating that decisive action is necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future.

As news of the petition spreads, residents of Nkaraha Community have expressed outrage over the alleged activities of the Surveyor General and his collaborators. Many fear that if the illegal sales are allowed to continue unchecked, it could lead to long-term conflicts over land ownership, with devastating consequences for the affected families and the community at large.

At the time of filing this report, neither Surv. Bob Odidika nor the Imo State Government had issued any official statement regarding the allegations. The ICPC is yet to make a public response to the petition, but concerned citizens and legal experts are urging the commission to take swift action in upholding the integrity of the judiciary and ensuring that those responsible for defying a Supreme Court ruling are held accountable.

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