C’River Govt Sacks Contractor From 40 Hectares Cocoa Estate

The Cross River State Government has asked one of its cocoa farm contractors, Mark Prince Mbu to relinquish  40 hectares of Abonita Cocoa Estate in Etung LGA of the state which he allegedly ceded to himself without state government’s approval or face the consequences  that follow his failure to heed the directives of the state government.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tanko Ashang gave the warning in Calabar,  while reacting to complaints that some persons had encroached on government cocoa estate, and ceded 40 hectares of cocoa plots to themselves  despite warnings from the government.

A letter signed by the attorney general, marked ‘Our Ref: MOJ/AG/COM/23/Vol.V/531 dated May 31, 2021 addressed to Mark Prince Mbu, of Abonita Cocoa Estate, Etung LGA, urged him to desist from occupying any part of Abonita Cocoa Estate  or be ready to face  the consequences for ignoring the directive.

Ashang’s letter stressed that the state government is  not ready to cede any of its cocoa plots to anyone or group of persons or those intending to take  portions of the estate without approval from the state governor.

“Consequently, you are by this notice directed to desist forthwith the continuous occupation of any part of the estate currently occupied by you or your privies.

“In the event of any disobedience of this directives, government will not hesitate to invoke all the options at her disposal to enforce compliance, including prosecution under the law,” the Commissioner warned.

He further stated that those that have something to do with government cocoa estate should be informed that state government had withdrawn release of any cocoa estate earlier issued to beneficiaries by any agency of state government.

Ashang stated that the said release was without any legal basis, and was completely void, and of no effect. 

“Beyond this it never had the authority of the state governor,.” the letter reads.

The contractor could not be reached to react to the allegations as his telephone line was switched off since Tuesday when the state government released the letter.