Trespassers take over ex-Eagles’ lands in P/Harcourt

Some members of the Super Eagles that qualified for the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup have cried out over the encroachment on their plots of land by individuals at the Trans-Amadi GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt.

Former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili, gave the plots of land to 27 officials and players of the team after they qualified for the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup. The Eagles played that year’s World Cup qualifiers in Port Harcourt.

However, the players are yet to have access to the lands over a decade later after certain individuals were alleged to have encroached on them.

In a petition dated December 11, 2012 and addressed to the Rivers State Commissioner of Lands and Survey through their lawyers, Emmanuel John and Associates, it was alleged that over 45 plots of land with Certificate of Occupancy bearing fictitious names, have been allocated to one Chief Aluma, which is against the state’s policy of one-plot-per-individual in the designated area.

The ex-players, represented by ex-Schalke 04 forward Victor Agali, alleged that despite paying all their necessary fees in respect of the plots of land, they have not been able to access the lands.

They appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly to wade into the issue, adding that some unscrupulous people – who allegedly  signed ex-governor Odili’s signature on the Certificate of Occupancy – connived with the land racketeers to sell their plots of land to unsuspecting persons.

It was learnt that one Mr. Nelson Onugbogu was allegedly arraigned before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court for acquiring some of the lands allocated to the ex-players.

Also, a company belonging to a prominent senator from Imo State, fell prey to the racketeers, purchasing some of the ex-players’ lands.