By Douglas Princemola
Residents and stakeholders of Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have cleared the Majority Leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, of recent land grabbing allegations circulating in the media.
Speaking at a press briefing held on Monday, November 3, 2025, community members described the claims as false, malicious, and politically motivated attempts to damage the lawmaker’s reputation and disrupt peace in the area. They said the allegations were made by individuals seeking personal or political gain at the expense of the community.
According to Comrade Ugochukwu Eke, the Youth President of the community, the land in question was sold to a reputable real estate developer, Barr Oluchukwu Green Nnabugwu, Managing Director of Greenland Integrated Services and Properties Limited, through a legally binding and mutually agreed Memorandum of Understanding. The MoU outlined the number of plots sold, payment terms, and other conditions, ensuring that the transaction was transparent and voluntary.
Eke stated that Rt Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi had no involvement, directly or indirectly, in the land transaction. He explained that the lawmaker’s name had been unnecessarily included in the issue by political opponents. He added that the sale was witnessed and approved by community representatives and carried out in line with legal and customary practices.
Elder Samuel Uboegbulam Ogbonna, a senior community leader, confirmed that the landowners from Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola voluntarily entered into the agreement with the developer. He described the media reports as false and misleading. He also noted that the project had brought benefits to the community, including employment for youths, increased economic activity, and improved aesthetics in the area.
Other elders and stakeholders, including Chief Geoffrey Alozie Ogbonna, Pastor Oliver Ogbonna, Comr Engr Rufus Oguamanam Ezekwe, Chief Cyril C Ezekwe, Engr Emmanuel Ogbonna Amadioha, Pastor Innocent Chibueze Odueze, and Mr Charles Ogbonna, endorsed the land sale and praised the developer for bringing investment and development to the community. They said the MoU provided clear evidence of the agreement and that the project was legitimate, transparent, and beneficial.
The community also commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his efforts in driving infrastructural and rural development across Imo State. Residents supported both the governor and Rt Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi and urged those spreading falsehoods to stop actions that could disturb peace and unity in Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola.
The oldest man in the community, Elder Godwin Eke, approved the land transaction and confirmed that the Majority Leader was not aware of nor involved in the process. Residents asked the public, including those in the diaspora, to ignore misleading reports and focus on the positive impact of the project.
The Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola Community concluded by saying that the sale of land to Greenland Integrated Services and Properties Limited was a mutual and lawful agreement. They urged the media and the public to check facts before publishing, noting the importance of maintaining peace, unity, and investor confidence in the state.
