Amonu Denies Naze Land Encroachment Allegations.
By Kelechi Ugo
A legal representative to businessman and Industrial Projects Developer, Dr. Richard Amonu, has dismissed allegations of land encroachment and extortion linked to the Naze Industrial Layout project in Imo State, describing the claims as “false, malicious and politically motivated.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the Counsel to Dr Amonu, Barr. James Kaji of Kaji & Associates, said recent reports published by an online and circular newspaper platform alleging illegal land acquisition and intimidation were aimed at frustrating ongoing industrial development initiatives, including the Recovery & Protection of Stae Govt Industrial Estate lands.
Barr. Kaji maintained that Dr Amonu is a lawful Developer of the Imo State Government and that all activities being carried out at the Naze Industrial Layout fall strictly within areas officially assigned to him by the Ministry of Industry for the establishment of an industrial cluster project.
According to the lawyer, the project is designed to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for residents of the State.
“The allegation that our client is encroaching on land under the guise of a government-backed project is entirely misleading and false,” the statement said.
The legal team further argued that the Naze Industrial Layout remains a government-acquired industrial zone, insisting that Dr Amonu has not exceeded the boundaries of the Naze Industrial Master Plan area assigned to him.
It added that any structure removed from the site constituted “illegal encumbrances” obstructing a state-approved development project plan.
Responding to allegations that certain payments were allegedly made into private accounts linked to associates of the investor, Kaji described the accusation as fabricated.
“All financial obligations relating to land administration in Imo State are processed through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) or other approved government channels,” he stated.
The statement also defended the involvement of the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), noting that the agency was merely carrying out its statutory responsibilities in line with the State’s urban development master plan.
Kaji accused unnamed individuals of orchestrating a smear campaign against both Dr Amonu and the General Manager of the OCDA in an attempt to derail legitimate investment efforts in the area.
While expressing readiness to cooperate with any lawful investigation, the lawyer insisted that his client’s actions remain consistent with the provisions of the Land Use Act and existing urban planning regulations.
He warned that legal action will be instituted against individuals or groups responsible for what he termed defamatory publications if the allegations are not withdrawn and corrected.
Kaji reaffirmed Dr Amaonu’s commitment to supporting the industrialization agenda of the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma, stressing that the Developer would not be distracted by “campaigns of blackmail and misinformation.”
