…says ceding was done in error

Cross River State government has withdrawn 32 hactares of disputed cocoa plots earlier ceded to Chief Ogar Assam’s family at Abonita Government Cocoa plantation in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, saying it was ceded in error.

The withdrawal was made in a letter signed by the Director, Agric Services, Mr. Etta Henry Ogar, dated January 17, 2024, seen by the Nigerian Observer in Càlabar.

The letter stated that it was misguided and misinformed with information about the disputed cocoa plots he earlier ceded to the Ogar Assam’s family, saying facts latter emerged that the 32 hectares of cocoa plots are a property of state government.

The letter titled, “Re: Release of Block 7A77,7B77,7C77,8B77,8C77 Cocoa Farms At Abonita Cocoa Estate to Chief Ogar Assam’s Family”, stressed that the government has withdrawn the 32 hectares of cocoa plots it ceded earlier to the Ogar Assam’s family on its letter of December 5, 2023.

“The decision is consequent upon the misguided facts during information gathering in some of the documentatal evidence provided by Mac Prince Mbu Leku.

“The desire to withdraw the ceded blocks is also steamed from the presentation of facts by the landlords communities in a meeting scheduled on December 12, 2023, with intention of the Attorney General of Cross River State to amicably resolve the impasse in suit NO.HE/18/2022.

“Further clarification from director of forestry in his letter with Ref No.CRSFC/S4/V3/315 categorically stated that the said Cross River North Forestry Reserve where Abonita Cocoa Estate is established.

“To this end, block 7A77,7B77,7C77 8B77,8C77 totalling 32 hectares of land is still vested in tbe government of Cross River State as was ceded in error to Ogar Assam’s family.

“Similarly, the çommissioner for lands in his letter with Ref No.MLH/ADS/670/Vol.I/18 said that records from the ministry does not in any way show that Governent of Cross River State acquired land from any family to establish Abonita Cocoa Estate,” according to the withdrawal letter.

In an interactive session with the director of planning, research and statistics, Forestry Commission, Mr. Akor Godwin after inspection of the contentious 32 hectares of cocoa plots at Abonita by officials of Cross River State government, it was stated that no portion of government cocoa plot would be ceded to any private individual without due process.

The forestry expert stressed that it is ridiculous and unusual for a single individual to claim ownership of any land in the estate without the Governor’s approval.

In his remarks, Secretary General of the estate cocoa landlord committee, Benjamin Asu Ndep, averred that he is confident that the committee that visited the disputed area will resolved the dispute for the matter to be put to an end.

Effort to get the input of the committee leader, Mr. Charles to speak on the issue failed as he refused to speak with journalists. Reacting in a telephone conversation on the issue, representative of Ogar Assam’s family, Mr. Mac Prince Leku, claimed that the 32 hectares is his late father’s cocoa plot.

“I thanked God that when we family get to court at the end of the day justice will prevail to ascertain the true owner of the disputed hectares of cocoa plots,” he said.