In an ongoing land dispute in the cocoa-producing regions of Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, Mr. Mbu Liku, also known as Mark Prince, has raised serious allegations against fellow farmer, Mr. Asu Njor, otherwise known as ‘Two Ends. The conflict centres around a 32-hectare cocoa farm, which both farmers are claiming ownership of. Mark Prince claimed that Njor, with the backing of former government officials, used violent means to assert control on the contentious 32-hectare cocoa farm that shares common boundary with his farm. In this media chat with National Compass’ NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Mark Prince called on the Director of State Security Services, DSS, and Governor Bassey Otu to investigate the role of the state security adviser, who he accused of neglecting his responsibility of securing the Abonita cocoa estate laced with criminal activities. Excerpts:
Can you please tell us about yourself and give us an insight into this dispute?
I am Mark Prince Mbu from Ajassor community, Etung Local Government Area, Cross River State. I am the grandson of the late Chief Ogar Assam, a former member of the Eastern House of Chiefs and clan head of Abonita. My grandfather pioneered cocoa farming in Cross River State, cultivating a 32-hectare farm that shared a boundary with the state government’s cocoa estate. Before his death, he wrote to the government about encroachment into his farm by government staff, and they withdrew from the disputed portion.
Upon his passing, that land was left fallow. When we rediscovered the documents concerning the property, we began the process of reclaiming it. The Ministry of Agriculture acknowledged that the land belonged to us, and the state House of Assembly even handed it over to us. However, during the administration of former Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Oscar Ofuka, who was Special Adviser on Cocoa Development to the governor, collaborated with Mr. Asu Njor to take the land illegally. Since then, there have been numerous violent incidents, including the killing of my younger brother and the destruction of my property. The thugs responsible are still roaming free, and the situation has only worsened.
Mr. Njor claims that you attacked his workers and even damaged his residence in Ikom. What’s your response to these accusations?
I am not aware of any such attacks. These allegations are fabrications meant to tarnish my reputation. If these incidents occurred, why didn’t Mr. Njor involve the police? It’s clear that these are lies, and they are part of a larger plot against my family.
What exactly are you seeking from the government and security agencies in the light of these ongoing disputes?
I am calling on the Defense Headquarters and the DSS to investigate the activities of the office of the state Security Adviser. It’s alarming that the state security apparatus, which should be protecting the citizens, is being used to suppress justice. The security adviser recently sent a letter stopping military patrols in the cocoa-producing areas, which has emboldened criminals like Mr. Njor to act with impunity.
The security adviser is credited with stabilizing the security situation in Cross River. Why are you critical of his role in this particular case?
The security situation at the government cocoa estate has been compromised, and the state Security Adviser is at the centre of it. He has allowed someone like Njor to use a flawed legal judgment to encroach on our property. Despite the court setting aside the consent judgment, they continue to wield it as a weapon to claim ownership. This disregard for court rulings has worsened the violence, and the security adviser’s actions have enabled it.
You allege that your workers were recently attacked by Mr. Njor’s men. What evidence do you have to support this claim?
The timing of the attack is linked to the security adviser’s letter, which prohibited military patrols in the area. This letter has been circulating among Njor’s thugs, giving them the audacity to carry out violent acts. They believe they have the backing of the state’s top security officials. My workers were attacked with machetes, and several of them are still in the hospital. This document in the hands of criminals has brought unprecedented violence to our farms.
What do you think will happen if this situation is not resolved quickly?
If these violent acts continue, it could lead to communal conflict between Ajassor and Agbokim. We don’t want to retaliate, but if pushed to the limit, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves. I am urging Governor Bassey Otu to intervene and investigate the role of the security adviser in this growing conflict. The safety of lives and property in Etung is at stake.
