Nwobodo, the founder of ASUTECH, claimed that in 1982, during his tenure as Governor of old Anambra State, he allocated 318 hectares of land with the intention of establishing a university to serve his community. However, his vision was not realized as he was removed from office before its completion. The official Gazette No. 12 vol II of 27th March 1986, which the PEIWA relies upon as a notice of revocation of Rights of Occupancy, was allegedly not served on the customary owners of the land as required by the Land Use Act.

The Elder statesman also questioned the legitimacy of the purported 1985 Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) survey plan (PLAN EN(A)594), stating that Enugu State was not created until 1991, and therefore, the documentation claiming Navy Commander Alison Madueke as the developer during the tenure of the late Group Capt. Emeka Omeruah, the then military Governor of Anambra State, was deemed inaccurate.

The Traditional Ruler of Obeagu Awkunanaw community, HRH Igwe Mike Nnukwu, expressed concerns about the potential impact of the demolition exercise on his palace if the state government proceeds with the land acquisition. Chamberlin, representing the host communities, mentioned that while compensations were provided to Amechi-Uwani and some families in Obeagu communities, a group emerged in 2017 and allegedly engaged in deceptive practices, leading to the recent demolition.

The Obeagu Awkunanaw community recalled that Governor Jim Nwobodo initiated survey works for the acquisition of approximately 318.560 hectares of land, but his administration did not last beyond 1983, preventing the completion of the acquisition or the realization of the envisioned project. They claimed that in 2009, a private company entered the land and attempted to forcefully take over a total of over 1,097 hectares of ancestral lands, leading to a significant land dispute.

In November 2019, the Centenary City project faced a setback when the state government revoked PEIWA’s right of occupancy over the land. However, a Consent Judgment in February 2023 recognized PEIWA as the rightful owner of the land and mandated the Government to reinstate the Master Plan of Centenary City. Subsequently, in 2023, the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority carried out a demolition of disputed plots of land in the estate.

The host communities raised objections, stating that their application to be joined in the suit was not granted, and they were not involved in the consent judgment. As the matter remained pending in the Enugu state High court, the state government executed another demolition in the Centenary City on January 19, prompting further upheaval.

The Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority defended its actions, citing an intelligence report about an illegal development/property that served as a kidnappers’ den at the Centenary City. The Enugu state Police command also conducted an operation on the same day, raiding a criminal hideout in the Centenary City area of Obeagu-Awkunanaw community and making arrests.

In response to the situation, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) criticized the failure of successive administrations to adhere to the provisions of the land use Act on the acquisition of land for public purposes, emphasizing the need for such acquisitions to genuinely benefit the public.

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