The Obeagu Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area has issued a strongly worded public notice disputing the claims of Private Estates International West Africa Ltd. (PEIWA) over a land dispute involving the Enugu Lifestyle and Golf City (ELGC).
In response to a publication issued by PEIWA on July 21, 2025, in which the company asserted legal ownership of 1,097 hectares of land under the ELGC project, leaders of the Obeagu community accused the firm of fraudulent acquisition and misrepresentation.
They maintain that the land in question forms part of their ancestral heritage, passed down through generations, and encompassing areas such as Agbana, Ugwuorie, Onususu, Akparata, Isi Oke, Ofia Ogonogo, and several others.
In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE and jointly signed by Chief Andy Egbo, a key stakeholder, Chief Chiene I. Chiene, Chairman of the Community’s Litigation Committee and HRH Igwe Mike Nnukwu, the traditional ruler of Obeagu Awkunanaw, the community described PEIWA’s development activities as “a provocative land heist.”
“All that PEIWA did was to parcellate our lands and, in a most egregious manner, begin to sell. While we groan in pains and sorrow, they selfishly smiled to their banks,” the statement read.
The leaders further alleged that PEIWA has failed to provide any meaningful benefit to the original landowners or to the Enugu State Government in terms of revenue or statutory payments.
They insisted that the company’s claim to exclusive legal rights over the land is “misguided, deceitful, and hallucinatory.”
The community also took the opportunity to clarify that certain real estate firms operating within the affected area namely; Dignified Garden Estate Ltd., Star Residence Estate, and Consistent Experts Limited, are recognized as legitimate developers with the full support and protection of the community.
According to the statement, these companies have established trustworthy relationships with the people of Obeagu Awkunanaw and continue to operate without opposition from the local leadership.
The statement reads in part:
RE: UNAUTHORISED CONSTRUCTION ON PLOTS WITHIN ENUGU LIFESTYLE AND GOLF CITY (ELGC)
“We, the undersigned, for ourselves and on behalf of the entire people of Obeagu Awkunanaw community, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State, do issue this public notice in reaction to a publication dated 21st July, 2025, made by Private Estates International West Africa (PEIWA), and signed by the Management of Private Estates International West Africa Ltd. (PEIWA).”
“We have become aware of this notice circulating on social media, emanating from the Management of PEIWA Ltd., who claim to be the sole legal and beneficial owner of 1,097 hectares of our ancestral land, which was fraudulently and dishonestly renamed Enugu Lifestyle and Golf City (ELGC). This includes their undignified threat and warning to buyers and potential investors against purchasing land or having any dealings with our people or those who derive title from us.”
“We reiterate the contents of our earlier public notice where we demonstrated our ownership by inheritance of all the parcels of land known as Agbana, Ugwuorie, Onususu, Akparata, Isi Oke, Ofia Ogonogo, Ofia Aru, Ururo, Orji, Ngene Uchoo, Ngene Ogwe, Iduru, and Ihu Odeje, among others.”
“In the guise of development, which they claimed was their mission, all that PEIWA did was to parcellate our lands and, in the most egregious manner, begin to sell them. While we groan in pain and sorrow, they selfishly smiled to the bank and have been living large on the proceeds of these sales. No benefit was conferred on us, nor did any commensurate benefit accrue to the Enugu State Government in the form of revenue or statutory payments.”
“Being our prized ancestral lands, and in protest of this provocative land heist by PEIWA, we have continued to follow due process to recover our land, believing that justice, equity, and good conscience will prevail above all their chicanery.”
“We therefore advise the general public to ignore the malicious, misguided, and deceitful claims made by the company in the said publication, and treat the same as hallucinatory, delusional, and wishful thinking of land-grabbing merchants.”
“Contrary to the lies peddled by PEIWA in their write-up, please NOTE that the companies known as Dignified Garden Estate Ltd., Star Residence Estate, and Consistent Experts Limited are known to the community and its leadership as legitimate and bona fide investors. They enjoy, and will continue to enjoy, our unflinching support and protection against any intimidation, harassment, or malicious actions by PEIWA, which company has consistently presented itself as our community’s enemy.”
“We also have other accredited developers and investors who have continued to stand by our community in our struggles and irrepressible quest for justice. We urge the public to feel free to conduct any transaction or dealing with the aforementioned companies and other verifiable ones.”
The Obeagu Awkunanaw community reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all legal avenues in their quest for recognition and justice.
