Cocoa Contractors demand withdrawal of soldiers from Cocoa Estate in C’River

From, Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cocoa allottees in Cross River State’s Abonita Government Estate have demanded immediate withdrawal of soldiers allegedly deployed to the area to intimidate and harass them. 

The cocoa allotees made this demand during an interactive session with journalists at the weekend in Calabar

They called on the Chief of Defense Staff Christopher, Gen.Musa to withdraw the soldiers giving security to a cocoa merchant in the area by name Mbu Liku

The cocoa allotees who 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.

Mr.Nic Ntui who spoke on behalf of the allottees, claimed  that the soldiers, reportedly accompanying a cocoa merchant  Mbu Liku, have been preventing them from accessing their cocoa  plots which they legitimately paid money into coffers of the state government.

Ntui alleged that armed soldiers  usually stormed the estate, chasing them away, intimidating them, 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 maintained.

Recalled 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 be thorough so that the officer involved in deployment of errant  soldiers into the farms can be fish out.

The Abonita Cocoa Estate has been a point of 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 our correspondent recommended that officer detailing  troops to Mr. Mbu Liku should be re-deployed and warned, and ensure that soldiers attached to Mbu Liku be withdrawn immediately.

A letter from O. N Agbor & Co Legal Practitioners  dated April 4, 2015,  signed by S.O Ijeoma Esq, 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.