Greenland Integrated Services Owner, Barr. Nnabugwu, Imo Assembly Member, Onyemaechi In Alleged Land Grabbing
In a bold and determined move, the people of Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have raised serious allegations of land grabbing, intimidation, and deceit against an Imo-based lawyer and realtor, Barr. Oluchukwu Green Nnabugwu (Ijere), the Chief Executive Officer of Greenland Integrated Services and Properties Limited.
Speaking on behalf of the people, Elder Dr. Godwin Eke (Ndaa Bob), Ph.D., the most senior and respected eldest man (Okee) of the kindred, accused Barr. Nnabugwu of allegedly conniving with Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi (Egbe), the Member representing Owerri West State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, to unlawfully encroach upon their communal ancestral land, Ohia Okohia, and commence illegal sales to unsuspecting buyers under false pretenses.
Dr. Eke, a Nigerian-born and United Kingdom-trained Mechanical Engineer, obtained a First-Class degree from the University of Wales and later lectured at the University of Port Harcourt, the Imo State University (IMSU), and the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). Having lived in the United Kingdom for over 17 years, he returned to Nigeria and has since remained a respected community leader in Oforola.
Speaking to journalists at his Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola countryhome on Saturday, October 18, 2025, the 84-year-old elder described the actions of Barr. Nnabugwu and his associates as “deceitful, oppressive, and highly provocative.”
According to him, the lawyer allegedly deceived some community members into believing that their activities were sanctioned by the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma, claiming they were clearing the land to flush out hoodlums said to be using it as a hideout.
“That claim was false and never came from our Governor,” Dr. Eke stated firmly.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma is a just and upright leader. Our Governor is not a land grabber and would never approve such obvious deceit.”
He revealed that under this false pretext, Barr. Nnabugwu and his cohorts manipulated the elderst man into signing a false Memorandum of Understanding, knowing that he is virtually impaired and unable to understand most of the things written in the false documents.
“Barr. Nnabugwu and the IMHA Majority Leader, Hon.Onyemaechi, and his cohorts claimed they were acting on government directives and deceived us into signing certain papers,” Elder Eke lamented.
“He only paid ₦6 million, which we used for traditional rites, the purchase of a cow for the principal landowners, settlement of the youths, and the customary bush-clearing ceremony. But afterwards, he began acting fraudulently.”
Dr. Eke explained that Ohia Okohia Umuezu Umuagubiam is made up of five original landowning families, had initially agreed with Greenland Estate on the sale of 300 plots, with 50 plots reserved for access roads.
However, Barr. Nnabugwu allegedly altered the original documents to include an additional 24 plots, bringing the total to 374 plots, without the consent or knowledge of the rightful owners.
He added that while the agreed price per plot was ₦1.8 million, Barr. Nnabugwu failed to pay the agreed amount in full. Out of ₦15 million meant for traditional rites and initial payment, only ₦6 million was ever received.
“Since after paying ₦6 million, Barr. Nnabugwu began using intimidation, harassment, and hired thugs to forcefully sell our land to his clients.
He has already sold over 100 plots without paying us a dime. This is pure wickedness,” Dr. Eke lamented.
He further alleged that Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi has been providing political protection for Barr. Nnabugwu’s activities, a development he described as “disappointing and unbecoming of a public servant.”
According to the elder, the people of Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola Community have now decided that they are no longer willing to sell their land and are prepared to refund the ₦6 million received from Barr. Nnabugwu to restore peace and justice.
“Our land belongs to our children and generations yet unborn,” Elder Eke declared. “We are no longer selling. What we want now is peace, justice, and respect for our ancestral heritage.”
He described the disputed land as being situated off the Owerri–Port Harcourt Road through the FUTO Junction, Obinze axis, about five minutes’ drive from the junction, near the NDDC Housing Estate linking Umuokenne, Owerri.
Visibly distressed, Elder Dr. Eke called on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, and all relevant security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent further tension in the community.
He appealed to the government to caution both Barr. Nnabugwu and Hon. Onyemaechi, warning that their continued actions could trigger avoidable unrest if not promptly addressed.
“Let the government act now,” he pleaded. “Let truth and justice prevail. We are not interested in selling our land anymore, and we are ready to refund his money. We have spoken out because we will not allow injustice to triumph over truth in our community.”
In his concluding remarks, Elder Dr. Godwin Eke reaffirmed the community’s collective stance: “As the Okee, and on behalf of the elders and entire people of Umuezu Umuagubiam Oforola, we categorically state that we are no longer interested in selling our land to Greenland Real Estate Firm.
We are ready to refund the ₦6 million and any expenses incurred during the land clearing. Barr. Nnabugwu’s conduct is unacceptable, dishonorable, and destructive to community peace.”
Despite several efforts and numerous attempts by our correspondent to reach Barr. Oluchukwu Green Nnabugwu and Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi for their reactions and perspectives on the allegations, all efforts proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
Every available communication channel was explored to obtain their side of the story and ensure a balanced reportage, but they neither responded to calls nor replied to messages sent before press time.
