News

Jubilation As Court Voids Land Acquisition In Delta, Fines Army N1m

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

There was jubilation in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday as an Effurun High Court declared “null and void” the purported acquisition by the Nigerian Army parts of Ohore 1 community land in the area.

The presiding judge, Justice Roli-Daibo, while delivering judgment in suit No. EHC/41/2014, had also declared the invasion of Ohore 1 community land by the Nigerian Army as “trespass”.

The judge fined the Army N1 million saying the Ohore people were entitled to the statutory right of occupancy in respect of the entire land in exhibit CL3, The PUNCH correspondent reported.

The suit had been brought before the court by Mr. Godwin Imiruaye, Mr. Lucky Utebu and Chief Julius Oghojamuni on behalf of themselves and the Ohore 1 community against the Nigerian Army, the Minister of Justice, and six others.

Lawyers for the claimants led by Chief Victor Otomiewo, had approached the court to declare that prior to the promulgation of the Land Use Act, the claimants being the persons in occupation and possession of all parcels of land at Ohore did not fall within any area of land acquired by the Army at the time for the use by the defendants

The plaintiffs, among others, also asked the court to declare that any acquisition of Ohore 1 land without due process and evidence of compliance with all the relevant laws and the constitution is null and void.

In the judgment, the court agreed with the claimants’ lawyers and restrained the Army from further trespassing on Ohore land.

The PUNCH gathered that the land in question was acquired in 1975 by the Nigerian army from the then Midwestern State government via a letter with reference number NAE/2801/26/1/G.

The land was reportedly acquired by the Army for the construction of the present-day Effurun Barracks.

Community sources said that though the Land Use Act – which vests all land in the government that holds such land in trust for the people – was not yet promulgated at the time of acquisition, no compensation was paid to the families who owned the land as required by the law.

Also, when the construction of the barracks was completed in 1979, a large portion of the land was unused and lying fallow for years. Rather than returning the rest to the owners who depend on the land for survival, some serving and retired Army Generals reportedly “became clever and started to sell the land to investors and speculators and rent out the rest to small-time traders who can afford to own a shop in the Mammy Market”.

It was gathered that the land is presently being sold at a price beyond the reach of the original owners, the people of Uvwie kingdom which is the genesis of the land dispute crisis.

The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, said his people initially conceded that much size of land to the Army because the Federal Government made them believe it wanted to build the main campus of the Nigerian Defence Academy established in 1964 in Effurun.

The monarch said, “We believe Army education will bring development to the community.

“But since the military academy was eventually located in Kaduna, the government decided to use the acquired land for the building of army barracks now known as 3 Battalion Barracks, Effurun. The total portion of land acquired in 1975 was 4,640 acres.

“The Certificate of Occupancy obtained by the Army in February 1994 shows that the Army later appropriated an additional 436 acres. The extra, which puts the total land acquired at 5,076 acres, was taken without the approval of Uvwie people.”

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.