The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday ordered an immediate halt to further development on a disputed parcel of land in Umundoche community, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, and directed that armed men allegedly operating there be disarmed.
The orders came during a hearing on Petition No. 901 of 2026, filed by J.U. Okoye Chambers against Prince Charles Amadi (also known as Chavon), Chikadibia Anyanwu and Chidubem Nwosu. Traditional ruler HRH Eze Lambert Unuoha of Nma 1 of Obioma Autonomous Community was also named as a respondent.
The petition alleges the illegal acquisition of more than 2,500 hectares of land, shooting and attempted murder of villagers, an invasion of the community by armed men, desecration of a corpse, abuse of police powers and breach of a memorandum of understanding.
Represented by his deputy, Rep. Matthew Nwogu, the committee chairman told the parties that no further activity should take place on the land until the matter is resolved, either through the committee or other appropriate channels. “There are orders that no more actions on this land until this matter is resolved,” he said. “No more putting up caterpillars or bulldozers in that land.”
He also directed that all armed individuals in the village be disarmed, stating that both the Department of State Services and the police had denied supplying them with firearms.
Counsel for Charles Farms Limited, one of the parties involved, maintained that the land was legally acquired and relevant parties paid. He told the committee his clients had instituted court proceedings against the petitioners and had written to explain their position on September 28, 2026, but acknowledged he had not brought supporting court documents to the hearing.
The chairman insisted on certified documentary evidence rather than letters or oral explanations.
A committee member stressed that the existence of a court case does not automatically stop the panel from performing its constitutional duty to consider petitions. He said the scope of any court proceedings would need to be examined to determine whether they covered all issues raised.
Counsel to the petitioners, Dr Julius Onyemi, said earlier efforts to resolve the dispute had failed. He noted that petitions were submitted on July 17, August 14 and later in August 2026, and alleged that the court action was filed after the petitions reached the House in an attempt to frustrate the process. He accused the respondents of using security personnel and armed men to intimidate residents and prevent access to the community, and questioned whether an environmental impact assessment had been conducted.
One of the respondents’ representatives challenged claims of armed threats, saying he had been in the area since Monday and offering to provide flight and hotel records. The chairman called for any available video or photographic evidence to clarify the conflicting accounts.
The committee adjourned the matter until November 2026 to allow respondents time to study the petition, prepare formal responses and submit documentary evidence. The allegations have not been established as findings of fact. The respondents maintain the land was legally acquired, while the committee continues its investigation.
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