By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa
Owerri – A leading communication company in Nigeria, MTN Communications has been accused of defrauding some indigenes of Umukaram Amato-Amaraku in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the issue on Tuesday, the spokesman of the family, Mr Chibuike Unugo said that MTN Nigeria misled them and fraudulently acquired their land.
“The land in dispute rightfully belongs to Unugo’s family. The struggle started in 2006 when an MTN land negotiator, Mr Chinagorom Iwunze approached the family to enable the communication company mount its mast on the disputed land.
“Iwunze came back to lure another family member, Mr Isaac Unugo to sign some documents and presented N 300,000 to him.
“Iwunze promised that a lease agreement and entitlement will be concluded after installation of the mast.
“He never fulfilled his promise after the installation and construction work was concluded,’’ he said.
He lamented that when they intensified agitation to recover their right, the company brought out a fake document of an outright sale as opposed to the initial lease arrangement.
According to him, the company has resorted in using all manner of intimidation to deny them of their customary right.
Unugo called on the relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the security agencies to come to their aid.
When NAN contacted the MTN Regional Legal Adviser, Mr Francis Okwunna, he said he was not permitted to speak on the issue, but acknowledged the land dispute between MTN communication and the family.
