AFTER prolonged legal tussles, the Cross River State government has formerly handed over the approved layout plan of the 23 hectares of Summit Hills land to the Ntoe/ Clan Head of Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan, HRH Ntoe Paul Assim Ita.
The handing over ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, was presided over by the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Francis Ekpenyong, and attended by other traditional leaders from Ikot Ansa.
The decision of the state government is expected to put to rest the long-drawn battle on the ownership of the large expanse of land which has been the legitimate property of Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan. Recall that there was a consent judgement entered into by the CRSG and the community.
The hand over is in compliance with the with a court-mandated land settlement agreement in which the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Cross River State, Ededem C. Ani, in a letter dated April 4, 2024, addressed to the Clan Head, Ani referenced a settlement reached in Suit No. HC/314/2021, involving Ntoe Lawrence Nyong Akiba & 7 Ors; the Governor of Cross River State of Nigeria & 5 Ors agreed to release 23 hectares of land to the claimants.
The letter reads in part: “The submitted survey plans, identified as CR/C/1187 with Tracing No. CRC.2881 and CR/C/1187 with Tracing No. CRC/2878, were provided for the Clan Head's information and necessary action. The letter, written in a formal tone, reflects the government's commitment to fulfilling its obligations as outlined in the legal settlement. This development marks a significant step towards resolving the land dispute and upholding the rule of law.
“The submission of the survey plans signals progress in implementing the court's decision and demonstrates the government's adherence to judicial outcomes. It underscores the importance of legal processes in resolving land disputes and ensuring equitable access to resources. The Clan Head is expected to review the survey plans and take appropriate steps as necessary, in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement.”
Recall that Cross River state government had in 2012 acquired 369, 579 hectares of land for the purpose of Calabar International Convention Centre, golf course, CICC Hotels, International Hospitals and residential estates.
Following the acquisition, THE BEAGLE NEWS gathered that government subsequently released about 29 hectares of the acquired land to the Ikot Ansa, Qua clan in 2019 in lieu of its stake in the business.
This generated some controversies and litigation between the government and the host community. Subsequently, Ntoe Lawrence Nyong, Ntufam Maurice Omin Iso and Ntufam Donatus Etim (claimants) on behalf of Nkonib (Ikot Ansa Clan) instituted a case in Suit No.HC/314/2021 with Government of Cross River State, the Attorney General, Commissioner For Lands, Summit Hills Estate Development Services Ltd, Faithplant Global International Services Ltd and Incorporated Trustees of Roaches Foundation as defendants and Ntoe- Elect Ntol Paul Asim Ita, Ntoe Augustine Bassey Edem, Esinjo, Francis Ekpenyong Iso, Esinjo Vincent Ansa Itu Okon Ansa and Ntufam Felix Eyo Iso as applicants/parties seeking to be joined for themselves and on behalf of Nkonib (Ikot Ansa, Qua Clan).
After hearing from both parties, they entered into consent judgement. And in the consent judgment, Justice Ebuta in 2022 ruled among others "that the state government shall release 23 hectares of prime dry upland and the 23 hectares is independent of the 29 hectares of swam and ravine land earlier released bringing to the total to 52,864 hectares acquired by the claimants and "that state government shall provide infrastructures on the 52.846 hectares of land released to the claimants community."
The Court further ruled that "all private allottee of any portion of the 362.715 hectares of land remaining shall be sub-tenants of the claimants’ community at the rate of N100 per square meter yearly and renewable every year from January 1, 2022, which royalty shall be reviewed 100 percent every ten years."
In compliance with the court judgment, the government through the commissioner for lands, Chief Francis Ekpenyong, issued a public notice ceding some parcels of land at the Summit Hills Estate Limited with 12.110 hectares plan no CR/C 1187 and 9.074 plan no CR/C1187 have been ceded to the Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan, Calabar Municipality under the leadership of His Royal Highness Ntoe Paul Asim Ita and the Ntoe-In-Council based on the agreement reached on April 4, 2024 between Commissioner for Lands, the Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice both representing Government of Cross River State and the Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan in the Attorney- General/Commissioner for Justice's Office to the Nkonib (Ikot Ansa) Qua Clan.
Traditional Council Reacts
Speaking with THE BEAGLE NEWS shortly after taking over the approved plan of 23 hectares of land at Summit Hills, the Qua clan head, Ntol Paul Asim Ita II and the Secretary, Felix Eyo, stated unequivocally that they have no face-off with Cross River state government in any way.
The duo maintained that the acquisition of 369, 579 hectares of land belonging to Ikot Ansa community was in the interest of the community, commending the state government for abiding by the terms of agreement just as they stated that there is no breach of public peace in the as reported in a section of the media.
According to the Qua clan head Nkonib, Ntol Paul Asim Ita II, “government has done the needful and assured that peace has returned to the community, adding that all the leaders would meet and see how everybody would carried along.
“We call on all the sons and daughters of Ikot Ansa to join hands in developing the community rather than dissipating energy in unnecessary litigation that would create further division among the people. We commend the government of Sen, Bassey Otu for taking bold step in restoring peace to the community, but ensuring that what belongs to the people were returned to the people in fulfillment of his “people first” mantra
Bassey Bassey, Beagle News
