A family in Ikót Akpandua village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, has accused their State House of Assembly member, Hon. Ubong Essien Attah, of exploiting a vulnerable sibling to forcibly acquire their ancestral land and subsequently destroying a valuable palm plantation when the family resisted the sale.
According to Dr. Jombo Effiong, who spoke on behalf of the Nnung Okpo family, the dispute began in November 2024 when Hon. Attah allegedly approached his younger brother, whom he described as a drug user easily influenced, to purchase a parcel of land without the knowledge or consent of other family members. The land, an inherited property containing a palm fruit plantation, was reportedly assessed by the lawmaker’s associates as seven plots valued at ₦3.5 million, despite a later official survey from the Ministry of Lands and Survey confirming it to be 15 plots.
“My younger brother did not consult anybody in the family. The land is not for sale—it is our father’s inheritance,” stated Dr. Effiong.
When the wider family became aware of the deal in August 2025, they objected and attempted to return the money. Dr. Effiong alleged that despite their efforts to refund the payment and resolve the matter amicably through the village council—chaired by the lawmaker’s uncle—Hon. Atah refused to accept the refund. Instead, in early December, he reportedly brought a bulldozer to the site, cleared the land, and destroyed palm trees, survey beacons, and the family’s main source of agricultural livelihood.
“This is where my mother feeds from. That farm could yield the amount he offered in one harvest,” Effiong lamented. “He has destroyed everything just to force us out.”
The family also claims that attempts to seek justice have been stifled by the lawmaker’s influence. Effiong reported that the Divisional Police Officer in the area acknowledged Hon. Atah had visited the station preemptively, and the village council, which initially promised intervention, later appeared to side with the legislator.
“The DPO told me the lawmaker had already come to him. The village council chairman is his uncle. They have been compromised,” Effiong alleged.
When contacted, Hon. Ubong Essien Attah, who represents Ibesikpo Asutan State Constituency, denied all the allegations levelled against him by Dr Jombo Effiong. Counteracting Dr Effiong’s claims, the Lawmaker explained that he followed due process in acquiring the now embattled parcel of land; noting that he negotiated, waited for over six months (almost one year) after negotiation and eventually paid the stated sum with documents signed to authenticate lawful purchase.
“I did not negotiate for the land directly, I sent my uncle who is living in the village by name Mr Emmanuel Ikpe, who also doubles as the chairman of the village council, who negotiated with the mother of that doctor and eldest brother who is the first son of that family. That first son stands as the father of the family,” the lawmaker disclosed.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State has also not issued a statement regarding the alleged land destruction or the family’s petition.
Legal experts note that the sale of family land without the consensus of principal members is void under Nigerian customary law. The family has indicated plans to pursue both civil litigation regarding ownership and criminal charges for malicious damage to property.
NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed that contrary to claims, no member of my family, including the most senior, mother or any other persons in the family, signed any document bequeathing the said property to the lawmaker.
According to Effiong the Zone 6 Headquarters of the Nigerian Police has made arrest of Mr Emmanuel Ikpe Udo and Ernest Robert in connection to the land. According to their confessions to the police in Calabar, they alleged that it is the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno who is interested in the disputed land.
This is a developing story.
