The Federal Government has sued the Anambra State Government for N50 billion over an alleged revocation of 148.337 hectares of land acquired for Federal Government sites and services scheme at Amansea in Awka North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

In the Suit, which has the Attorney-General of the Federation as plaintiff and the Attorney-General of Anambra State as defendant, the federal government is claiming the amount as exemplary and aggravated damages it suffered due to what it portrayed as unconscionable actions of the defendant.

According to the writ of summons signed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Attorney General of the Federation is seeking for: “declaration that the 148.337 hectares of land at Amansea, Awka North local government area, Anambra state, comprising Federal Government Sites and Services Scheme, Amansea/Awka, was lawfully acquired by the Federal government of Nigeria through the Anambra state government in 1992, under the Land Use Act of 1978 (as amended);

“A declaration that the Federal government of Nigeria had duly paid the required compensation that was assessed to the knowledge of and active collaboration with the Anambra State Government;

“A declaration that the Federal government of Nigeria had duly granted Statutory Rights of Occupancy to her allotees and development partners, members of the public and original land owners to the knowledge of and active collaboration with the Anambra State Government;

“a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government sites and services scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra State Government vide a public notice dated 1^st September, 2014, is wrongful, unlawful, null, void and of no effect whatsoever as same is neither supported by any extant law in force in Nigeria, nor done for any justifiable reasons; and

“a perpetual injunction restraining the Anambra State Government whether by itself, its agents, servants, representatives, or privies, howsoever, from further interfering with the rights and interests of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her allottees and development partners over the said Federal Government Sites and Services Scheme, Amansea/Awka.

“a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government sites and services scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra State Government vide a public notice dated 1st September, 2014, is null, void and of no effect whatsoever as the plaintiff was never served the purported notice of revocation as required by the Land Use Act, 1978;

Other relief sought by the Federal Government include; “a declaration that the purported revocation of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Rights and Interests over the said Federal Government Sites and Services Scheme, Amansea/Awka, measuring 148.337 hectares of land, by the Anambra State Government vide a public notice dated 1^st September, 2014, is null, void and of no effect whatsoever, since the defendant merely purportedly assigned same site and services scheme to profit-driven private developer, and not for public purpose howsoever; and

“Fifty billion naira only being exemplary and aggravated damages suffered by the Federal Government of Nigeria by the unconscionable actions of the defendant resulting in disruptions of the lawful activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria and her allottees and development partners over the said Federal Government sites and services scheme, at Amansea/Awka, Anambra State.”

The presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed who presided over the panel of judges handling the matter however, adjourned the case to February 13, 2017, for hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed by the counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) for interim order of injunction.

On the other hand, the Apex Court admonished the parties on the need to respect the status quo and avoid untoward actions over the subject matter of the suit.

The team of lawyers for the federal government was led by Ozekhome, with Chief B.S. Nwankwo (SAN) while Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) led the team of lawyers for Anambra State.

•Photo shows Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, SAN.

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