Clement James 
Some cocoa farmers under the aegis of Njor Cocoa Allottees, led by one Mr Asu Njor, have called on military authorities in Cross River State to intervene and investigate the use of soldiers to harass and intimidate legitimate cocoa allottees and thier workers at Abonita government cocoa estate in Etung local government.
The group requested a thorough investigation on the legality of five soldiers providing security to one Mr Mbu Liku ( also a Cocoa farmer), in the estate. The group made the allegation on Tuesday during interaction with Journalists in Calabar.
The aggrieved farmers asked the military authorities in Cross River to caution its personnel not to allow themselves to be used by some farmers to intimidate and harass fellow farmers having boundary disputes with thier neighbours.
“Despite warning from three different courts in Etung, Odukpani and Appeal court in Càlabar that Mbu Liku should stay clear from the cocoa plots which had been in contention with the Cross River State government, unfortunately, Liku has refused to heed.
“In suit mark No: HM/73/2020, HC/MSC/24/204, and CA/C/117/2023, pending at the Cross River State High Court in Odukpani and the Appeal Court in Càlabar, ordered Mbu Liku to desist forthwith from entering the cocoa farm in the government-owned cocoa estate, pending when the matter would be determined by the court, unfortunately, Liku did not listen.”.
Njor who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved persons stressed that he was surprised that a civilian could resort to the use of soldiers to intimidate other allottees even when the issue at stake was pending in the court.
“I appeal to the military authority not to allow people to use thier personnel to intimidate cocoa allottees at the Abonita cocoa estate.
“When a matter is in Court, we expect both parties to allow the court to decide rather than resort to the use of unknown soldiers to intimidate people.
“Some soldiers were seen in the estate on Saturday when everybody was busy with environmental sanitation.
“Some of my boys who went early to continue with the spraying of black pods chemicals in plot 77(Block 7B) actually saw three armed soldiers in the company of one Mr Mbu Liku, his wife, and one Mr Abolika course my boys took to their heels for fear of harassment,” he said.
