The Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, has been accused of attempting to seize a piece of land legally owned by businessman Mr. Edwin Ezema allegedly boasting that not even Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, can stop him.
Nwadike, appointed by Governor Otti in November 2024, is said to be laying claim to one of two plots located at 195 Ikot Ekpene Road, Ehere, Obingwa LGA. Documents show the land was originally registered in 1996 and later purchased by Ezema in 2023. A commercial plaza previously stood on the site before it was demolished for reconstruction, following guidance from the town planning office.
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Reports indicate that Ezema had notified the Mayor of his redevelopment plans and initially received his approval. However, after the demolition, Nwadike allegedly changed his stance, declaring that one of the plots belonged to the council and taking steps to resell it. Frequent visits by surveyors to the site have fueled fears of an imminent resale.
Ezema has since appealed to Governor Otti for intervention, while Nwadike has attempted to politicize the dispute, alleging that the land was fraudulently sold by PDP members. That claim has been dismissed, as court records including a 2007 Abia State High Court ruling confirm the land’s private ownership and establish that it has never been under government control.
Observers suggest the Mayor’s interest may be linked to rising property values in the area, with allegations of a secret plan to resell the disputed plot despite Ezema’s submission of all legal documents for verification.
