Cross River State Cocoa Farmers Win Court Battle Against Governor Otu’s Eviction Order

1,415 cocoa farmers in Cross River State have successfully challenged Governor Bassey Otu’s order to vacate their lands.

The farmers, who were allotted the lands by the previous administration led by Prof Ben Ayade, obtained an interim injunction from the High Court in Effraya, Etung Local Government Area, restraining the state government from evicting them.

The farmers had been accused by the state government’s cocoa allocation committee of occupying the land illegally, despite having met all the requirements for their allocation.

The committee, led by its chairman Mr. Ebori Nku, had threatened to evict the farmers, prompting them to take legal action.

Represented by their counsel, Ntufam Mba Ukweni, SAN, the farmers filed a suit against the state government, seeking redress for the threat of eviction.

The presiding judge, Justice Amajama Eneji, granted the injunction, preventing the state government, its agents, or any other parties from intimidating or evicting the farmers.

The court adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to April 29, 2024, to allow the government an opportunity to present its case.

Counsel for the claimants emphasized the importance of justice and stated that the government would be served a notice to appear in court.

The legal battle has highlighted the complexities of land allocation and ownership in Cross River State, particularly in the cocoa sector.

The issue has been a contentious one since the inauguration of a new cocoa allocation committee by Governor Otu.

With the court’s decision, the 1,415 cocoa farmers can continue to cultivate their lands, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the protection of property rights in the pursuit of economic development and agricultural growth.