Wike Directs Rivers Attorney General to take Immediate action on the land revocation report, says days of Father Christmas is gone

Gov. Wike has directed the Rivers state Attorney General to take appropriate action on the land revocation report.

This was disclosed on Thursday during the signing into law three new bills passed by the State House of Assembly.

The three laws are, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022, Rivers State Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Law No. 3 of 2022, and the Rivers State Pension Reform Amendment Law No. 4 of 2022.

Governor Wike who acknowledged receipt of a report of the State House of Assembly revoking ownership of the land currently occupied by AIT broadcast network in Ozuoba, Rivers State for allegedly not possessing requisite titled documents.

The governor said the days of Rivers being Father Christmas were gone as no one can illegally acquire what belongs to the State, directing the Attorney General to take appropriate action on the land revocation report.

Rivers State House of Assembly has reversed the ownership of the eight hundred and sixty-eight plots of land being occupied by DAAR Communication.

It follows a report presented during plenary on 7th September, 2022 by the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions. The report is on its findings on the land acquisition petition against the company by the four host communities of Ozuoba, Rumuosi, Rumuekini and Rumukwashi.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the House committee, Evans Bipi said the land has been given to the Rivers State Government over wrongful acquisition. Some of the lawmakers accused DAAR Communication PLC of illegal acquisition of the land.

The speaker of the house, Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani, in his ruling, said DAAR communication PLC should open fresh negotiations with the Rivers State Government on the land.

DAAR Communications plc is an independent privately owned broadcasting organization in Nigeria. It was established on 31 August 1998, by Raymond Dokpesi. On 23 April 2007, it was converted into a public liability company. It pioneered Africa Independent Television, Ray power 100.5 FM Abuja and Raypower 100.5 FM.

Raymond Dokpesi is an ally of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party PDP.