The Ekid Nation, comprising Eket and Esit Eket local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, has issued a quit notice to the Ibeno people, asking them to peacefully vacate the land they are occupying, which the Ekid Nation claims belongs to them.
This demand was made in a position paper submitted by the Ekid People’s Union (EPU) to the Akwa Ibom State Land Use Allocation Committee.
According to Dr. Samuel Udonsak, EPU President General, “The land occupied by Ibeno people today are Ekid land. Undoubtedly so by the Privy Council judgment of 1918.”
He emphasized that the Ekid Nation has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), National Security Adviser (NSA), Director-General of the State Security Service (DGSS), and Inspector General of Police (IG), stating that the Ibeno people are occupying their land illegally and must quit peacefully.
The Ekid Nation also expressed concerns over the government’s allocation of parcels of land in the Stubbs Creek Forest to various companies, including the Chinese mining company and Landmark Beach Resort, without their consent.
The EPU described these allocations as “grossly irregular and illegal” and warned that any structures or activities on these lands would be considered illegal and subject to demolition or stoppage.
The Ekid Nation emphasized that they would only support the BUA project if the company meets its fair and equitable obligations to them as the landowners.
Dr. Udonsak said, “That is what BUA ought to have done and must now do. Identify the area of its interest, meet the land owners (Ekid people), and we would be delighted to meet with them.
“The ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest (Akoiyak Ekid) was determined in perpetuity in 1918. It is a judgment in rem. No edict, gazette document, or executive order can be superior to a concluded apex court judgment.”
