From TCNEWS
The traditional ruler of Uzi-Amizi autonomous community Olokoro clan in Umuahia South L.G.A, of Abia State, HRH Eze Cyril Ogbenna has send a “Save-our-Soul” call to the Umuahia Capital Development Authority and Ministry of Lands and Housing over the activities of fraudulent land agents who sale and resale people’s landed property without their consent to different buyers.
Interacting with our correspondent in his palace in Uzi-Amizi, Eze Ogbenna decried that he was busy suggesting ways to curb youth restiveness in the various communities, not knowing that most of these youths have devised another means of making money which is through turning to land agents overnight.
“Selling of lands even without the attention or knowledge of the genuine owner is on the increase, and the buyers do not care to do a proper investigation of the land and property before paying in millions into the hands of these so called land agents. My palace has suddenly turned to Customary Court where people whose lands were criminally sold, come to lodge in their complaints.
“I am not against the youths striving to make a living in this harsh period but I am against the damages and problems they are creating through this adventure”, Eze Ogbenna said even as he passionately called on the UCDA and Ministry of Lands and Housing to step in and call for the registration of all land agents in the state to control this trending ugly situation.
He also called on the perspective land buyers to reach or approach the traditional ruler of any given community they want to acquire such a land to authenticate the rightful owner of such lands.
The traditional ruler also called on the perpetrators of the inimical act to desist from such or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
“They can go for a genuine business and not to sale people’s landed property without their permission, thereby creating problems for the community, the owner, the buyer and themselves. They can go into agricultural practices, farming and before you know it, the sky will be their starting point.
“As a traditional ruler, who is 83 years, I run a fish farm and maintain it too to keep myself going. So, they can as well go into agricultural businesses instead of duping people to make the fastest money. Duping people in the guise of land agents is also another form of Yahoo -Yahoo illegal venture”.
Eze Ogbenna also called on the Judiciary to handle any case of such nature brought to it, effectively and efficiently to serve as a deterrence to others.