By Chinedu Adonu
….Enpower Energy Limited Denies Allegations
Hundreds of residents of Ugwuto, Nsude community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over what they described as an ongoing land grab by Enpower Energy Limited.
The protesters—men, women, and children—marched through the community’s civic centre carrying placards and singing solidarity songs such as “We no go agree ooo” and “No to land grabbers.”
Their placards displayed messages including: “We Say No To Land Grabbers,” “Enpower Leave Our Land Alone,” and “Governor Peter Mbah, Save Us From Land Grabbers.”
They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the company from their land, citing a long-running dispute that began in 2019.
Community leaders alleged that Enpower Energy Limited had repeatedly encroached on their land and destroyed crops despite an ongoing court case, describing the company’s actions as “impunity.”
Speaking to journalists, community elder Vincent Chukwuani said the company entered their land without approval and has continued to destroy farmlands.
“The people called Enpower came to our land without authorization and began to destroy our crops with bulldozers. The invasion started six years ago. We reported to the state government but got no response.
“What prompted today’s protest is that they came again last month and destroyed our land even though the matter is still in court,” he said.
The community further accused the company of intimidation and harassment, alleging that some residents had been threatened or arrested by the police.
Another protester, Linus Ugwuoga, said the community had taken the matter to various authorities, including Abuja.
“We went to court and the matter was adjourned to December 19, 2025, yet they are still destroying our crops. We have government projects on our land—water reservoir, international market—and we have never complained. But these people called Enpower, we don’t know them,” he said.
He added that when they met with the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, he stated he did not know the company.
A former local government candidate, Hon. Emeka Joshua Ozochi, accused Enpower of using the 9th Mile Police Division and the Department of Railway Security (DRS) to intimidate residents.
He insisted that the land in question was officially approved for the community by the state government under the “Ugwuto Hilltop Layout,” with all fees duly paid.
Also speaking, Mrs. Evelyn Richard Onoh, an evangelist, described the company’s approach as deceptive.
“They invited some of us to Udi, but when we arrived, they said they were Enpower. We do not need them on our land. We, the women of Ugwuto community, stand behind our husbands. Anywhere they stand, we stand,” she said.
The community called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene urgently to prevent further destruction and protect their ancestral land.
Enpower Energy Limited Denies Allegations
When contacted, a representative of Enpower Energy Limited, Barr. Ricky Agu, denied all allegations of land grabbing.
He stated that the company is operating under a tripartite agreement signed in 2009 between the Enugu State Government, Enpower Energy Ltd, and Oildata Integrated Construction Company.
“The allegation of land grabbing is a lie. Government does not lie. Government acquired this land and used it as equity to attract investments,” he said.
Agu explained that the joint venture agreement empowers the state government to acquire land for public good, while the company provides technical expertise.
“When operations begin, the joint venture will pay the community whatever equity is due to them. So, the community is actually a co-owner of Enpower,” he said.
He accused some individuals in the community of misleading others for personal interest and said police intervention was necessary to prevent chaos.
“If they have issues, it should be with the state government, not a private company,” Agu stated.
He advised the community to meet with the Secretary to the State Government to resolve outstanding issues and review the letters authorizing Enpower to commence construction.
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