The Ugep community, through its traditional leadership and representatives, has filed a suit against both the Government of Cross River State and the Idomi community in the High Court of Cross River State, Calabar Judicial Division, over alleged unlawful encroachments and unjustified attempts to apportion Ugep farmlands at the Ketabebe frontier.

The claimants asserted that the government’s recent decision to allocate ancestral lands in a 45-40-15 ratio—between Ugep, the Idomi community and the state government—is not only illegal but also unconstitutional.

They emphasised that this decision violates their fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 36 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The claimants also argued that the government’s conduct has inadvertently incited members of the Idomi community to invade Ugep farmlands within the Ketabebe region.

The community is seeking several reliefs from the court including a formal declaration that the government’s allocation of Ketabebe lands is null, void and unconstitutional, thus lacking any legal effect; an injunction that would prevent the government and its agents from acquiring or surveying Ugep lands without adhering to due legal processes; confirmation of their customary rights of occupancy over the disputed farmlands at Ketabebe, affirming their historical connection to the land, and compensation for general damages, amounting to ₦500,000,000, against the Cross River State government and the Idomi community, reflecting the loss and suffering endured by the Ugep people.

The community pointed to a notable case in 1996, in which a similar government attempt to impose a buffer zone at the Ketabebe frontier was successfully challenged in the High Court in Calabar.

“The case was presided over by Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen (as he was then), and the judgment delivered remains binding and unappealed to this day. This precedent establishes a firm legal basis for prohibiting the government from reintroducing the buffer zone option, in accordance with the principle of res judicata,” the community prayed.

The community noted that it remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and preserve its ancestral heritage at Ketabebe, while calling on all stakeholders to respect the rule of law, uphold justice and abstain from any further acts of encroachment that may infringe upon their rights. (Guardian)