Cocoa contractors under small holders’ scheme of Cross River government wants end to soldiers’ presence at Abonita estate
Cocoa contractors plying their trade at Abonita cocoa Estate in Etung local government area owned by the Cross River State government have demanded the immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly deployed to the area to intimidate and harass them.
The contractors made their demand during an interactive session with our correspondent on Sunday in Ikom local government area of Cross River state.
The aggrieved contractors called on the Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Christopher Musa to come to their rescue by withdrawing soldiers providing security to a cocoa merchant in the area Mr. Mbu Liku.
The cocoa contractors who are operating under the small holders’ scheme include, Mr. Joseph Ekong, Pastor Duke Njor, Ekuri Boniface, Nic Ntui, Clement Isong-Amba, Pastor Etta Roland among others alleged that soldiers had on several occasions assaulted and harassed them.
Spokesperson for the group Mr. Nic Ntui alleged that the soldiers, reportedly accompanying a cocoa merchant Mbu Liku, have been stopping them from accessing their cocoa plots which they legitimately paid money into the coffers of the state government.
He alleged that armed soldiers usually stormed the estate, chasing them away, intimidating them, but allowing Mbu Liku to harvest cocoa.
“There’s already an existing ruling in suit No: HM/73/2020. And Dismissal in Suit No: HC/MSC 24/2024. An action by way of prerogative orders of mandamus and prohibition.” Ntui stated.
Recall that there are ongoing disputes over land ownership and allocation at Abonita axis of the estate, with court cases pending in various jurisdictions.
The affected farmers pray that the ongoing investigation by the military high command is thorough so that the officer involved in deployment of errant soldiers into the farms can be fished out.
The Abonita Cocoa Estate has been in contention with the Cross River State government facing challenges in managing the estate.
Meanwhile, an update by the state security Adviser (SSA), to Cross River state, retired Maj. Gen. Okoi Obono, after his April 12, 2025 visit to Abonita çocoa estate to ascertain the veracity of claims by the allotees, stated that soldiers at Achufa, Ajassor Mission and Etomi check points were those used by Mbu Liku to intimidate allottees.
The Security Adviser’s update sighted by LEADERSHIP, recommended that the officer detailing troops to Mr. Mbu Liku be re-deployed and warned, and that soldiers attached to Mbu Liku be withdrawn immediately.
“The soldiers were usually detailed to Mr. Mbu Liku by platoon commander deployed at Achufa check point along Ikom -Mfum boarder road.
“Mr. Mbu Liku should be warned to desist from eliciting the services of soldiers or security agencies to further his negative tendencies immediately”, the SSA stated.
A letter from O. N Agbor & Co Legal Practitioners dated April 4, 2015, signed by S.O Ijeoma Esq and sighted by LEADERSHIP, also alleged intimidation, arrest and torture of their clients who are allottees at the Cross River cocoa Estate.
The letter addressed to Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Armed Forces Complex Area 7 Garki- Abuja, urged soldiers to stop aiding Mbu Liku to intimidate their clients who are small holders’ scheme in the cocoa value chain in Cross River State.
They averred that their clients, the original lessees of block 7A 8C at Abonita cocoa estate of the Cross River State government’s small holders’ scheme which lease is granted by the state government via the ministry of Agriculture, is still valid and substituting.
The lawyers accused the soldiers of storming Block 7A-8C at Abonita Cocoa Estate in company of Mbu Liku on March 29, 2025, and on April 2,2025 to harass farm contractors, carting way about 5 wet bags of cocoa beans and some farm implements including knapsack sprayers.
“We therefore, write to plead that you use your good office to address this situation which is capable of bringing the highly revered Nigerian army into disrepute.
“While we appreciate the myriads of security challenges being faced by the country, to which the army have been up and doing their best to keep the country save.” The letter maintained.
But army Public Relations Officer PRO in Cross River, Capt. Jimoh Jamaila, denied army’s involvement in the alleged assault, and harassment, stressing that the army will be excited if the affected allottees raising the alarm can identify the soldiers in question.
In a swift reaction to the allegations, the cocoa merchant Mr. Mbu Liku, otherwise known as Mark Prince denied allegations and claimed that the contentious Abonita Cocoa plot is a property of his late father.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
