The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised alarms about the possibility of China taking over Nigerian assets due to a contentious land deal involving the Enugu State government.
The group expressed concern over an alleged Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the administration of Governor Peter Mbah and several Chinese companies.
HURIWA fears that this agreement could lead to future asset seizures if unresolved land disputes in Enugu escalate into legal battles.
According to the rights group, Governor Mbah allegedly signed over ancestral lands in Ugwuaji Awkunanaw to the foreign companies, despite ongoing litigation regarding ownership.
The association likened the situation to a similar incident in Ogun State during Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s tenure as governor, where a land deal with Chinese entities resulted in the seizure of Nigerian assets abroad, including three presidential aircraft.
HURIWA warned that a similar outcome could occur in Enugu if the courts favor the original landowners, potentially allowing Chinese companies to seize Nigerian assets internationally, including embassy properties.
“The Enugu State Government should refrain from finalizing this deal until the legal disputes are resolved to prevent future international embarrassment,” said Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator.
The group urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify whether President Bola Tinubu was aware of the MOU signed during Governor Mbah’s visit to China, as the governor was reportedly not part of the official presidential delegation.
HURIWA called for transparency from the government to prevent Nigeria’s international assets from being put at risk.
