By Christopher Tom, Uyo
In view of an expected compensation from the University of Uyo to Use Offot community over a plot of land that was leased to the Federal Government for a Model farm in 1963, the indigenes of the village have issued a strong warning to the people of Ekpri Nsukara village head to steer clear of the expected compensation.
Family Donor members, who spoke on behalf of the village said Ekpri Nsukara village never donated any plot of land for the Government Model farm, except the one they donated in 1963. Chairman of the group pastor Sunday Justine said the Model farm was abandoned because the Government did not redeem the lease conditions and accumulated debt.
According to him some criminal minded politicians from the area took advantage of the abandonment and stole parts of the plot and sell to unsuspecting buyers, mainly strangers.
Therefore angered by the slap on the community, legitimate owners of the plot sought redress in court 3 with suit NU/300/14, presided over by Justice Charles Ikpe.
Speaking further he said the people of Offot Usung Ifiayong perceive that the University of Uyo will pay compensation for wrongful demolition of their properties and suspect that some mischief makers, supervised by ranking traditional and political leaders, are plotting to disrupt the peaceful compensation process by horridly erecting emergency structures on the said land.
Also speaking, the women leader of the group, Obongawan Benedett Etim hinted that a number of their kinsmen have lost their lives, while others have missed in the struggle to redeem their properties from the hands of thieves.
Finally they implored the village head of Ekpri Nsukara, EteIdung Linus Effiong Nyong to resist attempt to drag his noble name to the mud. “ with due respect, we expect the royal father to toe a part of honour and avoid a possible show of shame”.
