The Mbaishii Autonomous Community in Ngor-Okpala, Imo State, has lamented what they described as an illegal and unconstitutional takeover of 30,000 hectares of farmland by the state government.
This is as legal actions have been instituted across several courts in the state against both the government and the Zion Ministry which they allegedly accused was the beneficiary of the lands illegally taken over by the government.
At a world press conference in Abuja, the Mbaishii People’s Assembly presented a detailed account of legal violations and ongoing lawsuits, including cases HOW/184/2024, HOW/967/2024, HOW/15/2025, and HOW/191/2025, all challenging the state’s actions and seeking redress for the illegal encroachment.
According to the communities, their farmlands were never formally acquired by the government. Instead, they allege that the lands were handed over to Evangelist Ebuka Obi’s Zion Ministry under the false claim of a 2007 acquisition that they argue never occurred.
Court judgements from 2010 and 2011 had previously invalidated similar acquisition attempts, setting a legal precedent the communities insist must be respected. They argue that the continued destruction of farmland and the use of security forces to enforce the takeover constitute contempt of court and a flagrant abuse of power.
Under Section 44(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, compulsory acquisition of property must be done in accordance with due process and for demonstrable public interest. Community leaders insist that turning their farmland into religious premises does not meet this standard.
They are calling for the immediate withdrawal of security personnel, the halting of all Zion Ministry activities on the land, and the restoration of lawful possession. They further demand compensation for the economic losses already suffered and the prosecution of those who violated existing court orders.
“This assault on our economic base has all the features of a genocide. A silent, systematic erasure of a people’s means of survival,” the spokesperson said.
The Mbaishii communities called on President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately order the withdrawal of security forces from their lands and halt what they described as “executive lawlessness.”
They also urged journalists and media houses to investigate the matter independently and bring international attention to what they described as “a blatant abuse of power, a breach of fundamental rights, and a threat to democracy.”
“This is no longer just about land. It is about the soul of justice, the dignity of human life, and the survival of our people,” they concluded.
