The people of Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State have taken the Cross River State Government and the Idomi community to the High Court over the long-running land dispute at Ketabebe and Ijiman.
The lawsuit comes barely weeks after the communal crisis between Ugep and Idomi, which led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and the declaration of curfews by the state government.
According to court documents filed on behalf of the Ugep community by its traditional leaders and representatives, the community is challenging the state government's decision to share the disputed land in a ratio of 45 percent to Ugep, 40 percent to Idomi, and 15 percent to the government.
The Ugep community described the decision as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of their ancestral land rights. They insist that the disputed land has belonged to their people for several centuries and cannot be shared without following due legal process.
The community also argued that a similar issue had already been decided by the High Court in 1996, when the court reportedly ruled against the creation of a buffer zone in the area. They said that judgment has never been overturned and remains valid.
In the suit, the Ugep people accused the government of attempting to force them into accepting the land-sharing arrangement. They also alleged that officials were directed to carry out a survey that favours the Idomi community.
The community further claimed that the crisis has encouraged encroachment into their farmlands, leading to destruction of crops and intimidation of farmers, especially women who depend on farming to feed their families.
As part of the reliefs sought before the court, the Ugep community is asking for:
- A declaration that the government's land allocation is null and void.
- An order stopping any further survey or acquisition of the disputed land without due process.
- Recognition of Ugep's customary ownership of the land.
- ₦500 million in damages against the Cross River State Government and the Idomi community for the losses allegedly suffered.
The lawsuit marks a new phase in the Ugep-Idomi land dispute, with the community choosing to seek justice through the courts instead of violence.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Cross River State Government nor representatives of the Idomi community had publicly responded to the claims contained in the lawsuit.
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