The Imo State Government has revoked rights of occupancy over several parcels of land in Owerri, including the area popularly known as the Old Timber Market, citing overriding public interest.
The revocation was contained 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 a post on facebook by Mr.Ambrose Nwogwugwu, SSA to the Imo State Governor on Electronic and Creative Media, the order was issued pursuant to the powers vested in Governor Hope Uzodimma under Section 28 of the Land Use Act, formerly known as the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978. It provides for the revocation of statutory and customary rights of occupancy over the affected properties.
According to the gazette, the revocation takes immediate effect and covers statutory or customary certificates of occupancy, leases, licences, allocations, deeds of assignment, subleases, letters of offer and other interests previously granted over the designated properties.
The state government said the rights of occupancy over the affected parcels had been determined because the land was required for an overriding public purpose, in accordance with Sections 5 and 8 of the Land Use Act.
The properties listed in the schedule attached to the gazette comprise Plots 89 to 117 within the Umuoyima South Residential Pocket Layout, Owerri, formerly known as Ogboosisi. The area is widely identified as the Old Timber Market.
The affected plots are 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 government further revoked any special contracts or interests it had previously created over the affected land, including statutory certificates of occupancy, deeds of assignment, subleases, allocation letters, letters of offer and other contractual interests arising under the Land Use Act.
The gazette, issued under the authority of the Imo State Government, constitutes the formal legal notice of the revocation and marks the commencement of the government’s acquisition process over the affected properties.
