Maranatha University Land Is Not In Dispute, Mgbidi Landlords, Dike Family Head Affirm

The alleged land grabbing story by one Barr. Innocent Oguaju-Dike involving the newly approved Maranatha University has been refutted and described as mere falsehood aimed at misinforming the general public and discrediting the young Maranatha University, Mgbidi, Oru-West, Imo State

Contrary to Oguaju-Dike’s claim that the land was illegally acquired, the head of Dike family countered the claim with the true owners of the land and entire Traditional Rulers of Mgbidi clan also distancing themselves from Ogueaju Duke’s claim, saying that he was alone in his claim as the owners of the University legally acquired the land.

The testimonies on the true position of how Maranatha University land was acquired were given at the inaugural thanks-giving service of the University held at the University Auditorium on Saturday, the 17th day of April, 2021, the entire Mgbidi Community, Oru-West, Imo State.

The event witnessed large turnout of all the Traditional Rulers in Mgbidi, the leadership of Mgbidi people forum, dignitaries and stakeholders in Mgbidi, the Mgbidi Youths, the women as well as members of the Dike Family led by their family head, Pa James Lolo Dike.

The people were all smiles as they joined in glorifying God for using Reverend Emeka Ngubo to establish a University in their land, dscribing the development as a blessing, which will turn the economy of the people around.

They joined in the prayer for the sustenance of the University.

Speaking at the occasion, the Traditional Ruler of Alienyi-Mgbidi Autonomous Host Community, HRH EZE S. A Meghamobi stated that contrary to the falsehood being peddled by one Bar. Innocent Oguaju-Dike, the land where the Maranatha University is sited is never a grabbed land but was genuinely and lawfully purchased by the owner and founder of the Maranatha University, Rev. Emeka Ngubo from some individual families in Alienyi-Mgbidi Community who are still alive.

He stated: the fact that the event is well attended by the entire Traditional Rulers in Mgbidi, many dignitaries from Mgbidi, youths and women as well as members of Dike family shows how excited we are in having the University in our town and pledged the continuous support of the Alienyi Community as the host community, to the University. The land is never in dispute as I, as the Traditional Ruler is yet to be served with any court papers “

Also speaking, Chief Chimezie Onyeka (Duruoha), the Palace Secretary and member of the Eze Cabinet stated that the land where the Maranatha University was built was his family land which his family lawfully sold to Rev. Emeka Ngubo in 2006 and wondered why Bar. Innocent Oguaju-Dike should be peddling such falsehood and blackmail against the University.

Meanwhile, one of the lawyers to Rev, Emeka Ngubo, an indigene of the Alienyi Community, Barr Chukwuemeka Okoro stated that why no single Mgbidi person is surprised by Bar. Innocent Oguaaju-Dike’s blackmail against the University and its founder/Owner, Rev. Emeka Ngubo is because “he is a character that is well known by all”.

He stated: “there is no single encumbrance with the land where the Maranatha University is built and standing as same was lawfully purchased from known families in Alienyi community who Bar. Innocent refused to confront because he has no merit in his claims, hence the NUC dismissed his petitions and granted approval and operational license to Maranatha University to take off.”

Barr Okoro who refused to answer certain questions, saying the matter is in court however, alleged that “why Bar. Innocent Oguaju-Dike is blackmailing the University and its founder/Chancellor, Rev. Emeka Ngubo is because he demanded the sum of 10 Billion Naira from Rev. Ngubo, change of the University to his father’s name and that he (Barr innocent) be granted 60% Ownership of a University he did not contribute a dime in its establishment.”

“So it was the refusal by Rev. Ngubo to grant these demands that gave rise to all these falsehoods and blackmails against the Maranatha University and its founder.”

Barr. Okoro maintained that as a lawyer, Barr. Innocent should have known that since his matter is in court, he should refrain from unnecessary and sensational media trial and pursue his matter in court rather than engaging in cheap blackmail and falsehoods against the University and its founder/owner, Rev. Ngubo.

He denied there is an injunction against the NUC and the University as claimed by Barr Innocent and challenged him to produce a copy of the said injunction.

He added “assuming without conceding that there is such an injunction by the court, and same was disobeyed, he should commence committal proceedings and not to engage in blackmails just to malign the reputation of the young University so as to force out his inordinate demands from Rev. Ngubo”