Imo Government Revokes Occupancy Rights Over Old Timber Market, Other Properties

The Imo State Government has revoked statutory and customary rights of occupancy over several parcels of land, including the Old Timber Market in Owerri, as part of an acquisition exercise for overriding public purposes.

The revocation was announced in Imo State Official Gazette No. 17, Volume 50, published on June 4, 2026, under I.S.L.N. No. 6 of 2026, titled Revocation Order of Rights of Occupancy Order, 2026.

According to the gazette, Governor Hope Uzodimma exercised powers granted under Section 28 of the Land Use Act to revoke all statutory and customary rights of occupancy over the affected properties with immediate effect.

The order nullifies all certificates of occupancy, leases, licences, allocations, deeds of assignment, subleases, letters of offer and any other legal interests previously granted on the designated land.

The government said the acquisition was carried out in the overriding public interest, in line with the provisions of the Land Use Act, adding that all existing rights over the affected parcels had been legally determined.

The gazette identifies the affected properties as Plots 89 to 117 within the Umuoyima South Residential Pocket Layout, Owerri, formerly known as Ogboosisi and popularly referred to as the Old Timber Market.

The affected plots include Nos. 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117.

The gazette further states that all special contracts previously entered into by the state government over the affected land—including certificates of occupancy, deeds of assignment, allocation letters, subleases, letters of offer and other contractual interests created under the Land Use Act—have been revoked.

The publication, issued by the authority of the Imo State Government, serves as the official legal notice for the revocation and marks the commencement of the government’s acquisition process for the affected properties.

The government has yet to announce the specific project or development for which the land is being acquired.