ABUJA – The planned Maranatha University recently approved by the National University Commission (NUC) to be sited in Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State may not take off as planned if allegations of land grabbing and conspiracy to defraud the acclaimed owner of the land are substantiated.
In letters written to the NUC by Barr. Innocent Ezeananu Oguaju-Dike, counsel to the Dike-Ada Royal family in Owerri who claimed ownership of the plot of land upon which the University was approved, the family asked the Commission to forthwith, withdraw its approval given to the Sponsor of the Maranatha University to build the institution on the land.
The Royal-Family in the letter expressed disappointment that despite the assurances given by the National Universities Commission (NUC) that the approval of the institution would be suspended, it went ahead to approve it, maintaining that “the approval was obtained by fraud.”
While lamenting that the NUC’s hasty decision was a contempt of court, and a disregard to the rule of law, the counsel to the claimant alleged that “Maranatha university has no land and no site plan. The papers are fake with forged land documents.”
In the document obtained by Daily Independent, the petitioner had written to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission explaining that the Dike-Ada Royal family has possession of the Supreme Court judgement which was delivered in 1912, and also stating that no other person could lay claim to the controversial plot of land.
The land grab scandal has rocked the Maranatha University, Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State which was newly approved alongside other 19 Universities by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on 3rd February 2021.
Responding to the letter dated 21st November 2018 by the NUC, which was signed by the Director, Establishment of Private Universities, Alhaji Abdullahi Hamza, NUC assured the Dike-Ada Royal family that the process of Maranatha University approval would be suspended based on evidence forwarded to it.
Part of NUC’s response letter read: “I have been directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 10th October 2018 on the above subject matter.
Part of the statement read: “The approval of Maranatha University Mgbidi on my land by Federal Executive Council on February 3rd 2021 was obtained by fraud when the matter is subjudice because Suit No: HOU/69 /2018 and Suit No: FHC/OW/CS/94/2020 were pending in High Court, Mgbidi and Federal High Court, Owerri on the subject matter of the case, the proprietors of Maranatha University Rev. Emeka Ngubo and Hon justice Grace Chukwunyere concealed the facts from Federal Government of Nigeria and deceived Federal Executive Council to approve Maranatha university.
“They removed the letter dated 20th Dec. 2018 written by National Universities Commission to me suspending the processing and approval of Maranatha University until suits in court are determined, following our objection to approval of Maranatha University on the ground of fraud.
“Again, the Council of National Universities Commission met with us on 17th February 2021 following our protest and petition against the approval by Federal Executive Council and confirmed that the Commission, the Federal Executive Council and even the President of Nigeria were deceived by the Director of private universities in NUC, who claimed that she did not see the letters and our petitions in the file of Maranatha University before sending it to Federal Executive Council for approval.
“Our Anyaeruabadike land was won by our ancestor Dike Ada with survey plan in the supreme court of the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, Degema assizes, 1912 and we have not sold or ceded any part thereof to Maranatha University.
“The proprietors approached us for settlement and offered us money, employment, etc. and even obtained CTC of our judgment and plan from National Archives, Enugu and confirming our title yet, they used forged documents and survey plans made in 2020 backdated to November 2018 to deceive NUC and Federal Executive Council into approving in contrast with our survey plan and judgment of 1912 in contempt of court.
“We held a meeting with all the directors of NUC on 17th February 2021 and NUC told us that it has cancelled the approval by Federal Executive Council that it was obtained by fraud and deception and directed us to come on Tuesday 23rd February to collect the written copy of the decision, but was yet to give us till date.
“The fact that Mr Emeka Ngubo, a Chartered Accountant and preacher of the Word of God can ignore the judgment of the supreme court of 1912 with survey plan which he confirmed and got CTC from archives in Enugu will rely on fake and questionable unsigned pieces of plans for pieces of 100ft x 150ft or 100ft x100ft dated just 2018 shows that there is no truth in him and vindicates Oguaju-Dike the Great when he prophesied against Mgbidi.
“Mr Emeka Ngubo will never succeed in taking over Anyaeruaba Dike, not even with the threat, bribery or corruption because God Himself is a Judge who judges in righteousness and truth.”
