An activist will face state officials in court over disputed land fees charged to property owners. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo filed a lawsuit against Governor Charles Soludo and three other government officials about a land document program. The activist claims officials broke federal law when they started requiring people to pay 25,000 naira to renew their property papers. Justice Peace Otti scheduled the hearing for October 30 at the Anambra State High Court. Okonkwo represents himself without hiring a lawyer for the case.
The doctor wants the court to stop the land certification program and order refunds to property owners. He believes the money collection amounts to fraud and violates the Land Use Act from 1978. Okonkwo also seeks 10 billion naira in damages from the government officials. The activist thinks they created this program to raise campaign money for the November election. His lawsuit targets the governor, attorney general, lands commissioner and police chief.
State lawyers tried to dismiss the case before it reaches trial. Senior Advocate Patrick Ikwueto filed papers claiming Okonkwo has no legal right to challenge the program. The government response came four months late according to court rules. Okonkwo pointed out these procedural errors and asked the judge to reject their filing. The court must decide whether to hear the full case or throw it out based on these early challenges.
The doctor wants the court to stop the land certification program and order refunds to property owners. He believes the money collection amounts to fraud and violates the Land Use Act from 1978. Okonkwo also seeks 10 billion naira in damages from the government officials. The activist thinks they created this program to raise campaign money for the November election. His lawsuit targets the governor, attorney general, lands commissioner and police chief.
State lawyers tried to dismiss the case before it reaches trial. Senior Advocate Patrick Ikwueto filed papers claiming Okonkwo has no legal right to challenge the program. The government response came four months late according to court rules. Okonkwo pointed out these procedural errors and asked the judge to reject their filing. The court must decide whether to hear the full case or throw it out based on these early challenges.
