Akwa Ibom Court Orders Eno Government To Pay N1.5bn For 49-Year-Old School Takeover

The Akwa Ibom State High Court has ordered the Governor Umo Eno-led government to pay N1.5 billion compensation to the family of the late founder of Christian Secondary School (CSS), Afia Etoi, Uyo, after the government took over and converted the privately established school to a public institution nearly five decades ago.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. HU/335/2022, Justice Archibong Archibong of High Court 2, Uyo Judicial Division, gave the state government until October 14, 2026, to complete the assessment and payment of the compensation.

The court held that the continued occupation and use of the school premises by the state without compensation violated Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution and CAP 44, Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2000, which provide for adequate compensation where government acquires private property.

Justice Archibong further ruled that failure by the government to comply within three months would entitle the plaintiffs, who are children of the late founder, to repossess the school, while a perpetual injunction would restrain the government from further using the premises.

Court records showed that the school was established in 1972 by the late John James Ebong, who used his personal funds to acquire the land, construct classrooms and operate the school for five years.

In 1977, the then Federal Military Government under General Olusegun Obasanjo promulgated the Schools Take-Over (Validation) Decree No. 48, transferring ownership of private schools to state governments and paving the way for the then Cross River State Government to take over CSS without commensurate compensation to its founder.

Following the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987, the school became one of the assets inherited from Cross River State. The family said successive administrations had since operated the school and produced thousands of graduates, while no compensation had been paid to the founder’s family.

The N1.5 billion compensation figure was based on a 2017 valuation report tendered by the plaintiffs, covering the land, buildings and goodwill attached to the school.

However, lead counsel to the family, Ndifreke Akpan, Esq., of Star Attorneys, argued that inflation and the depreciation of the naira meant the government’s liability could be significantly higher when arrears were computed.

“The N1.5 billion is what it was worth in 2017,” Akpan said, describing the 49-year delay as a case of justice denied. He regretted that virtually everyone had benefited from the school except its original owners, describing the situation as “the height of injustice.”

Justice Archibong, in his judgment, described the case as “a classic example of delayed justice.”

Seeking prompt compliance with the judgment, Akpan disclosed that Star Attorneys wrote to the Chairman of the State Secondary Education Board on August 31, 2026, requesting immediate steps to implement the judgment “to avoid disruption of academic activities and further legal embarrassment.”

He said the family remained open to dialogue but insisted that the judgment must be implemented, stressing that the dispute was about the preservation of their father’s legacy as much as compensation.

One of the founder’s children, Blessing John Ebong, said, “Our father sold his personal property to build that school in 1972 because he believed in education. He died without compensation. We are asking government to honour his dream.”

Another family member, Peace Ekpenyong, said, “We have been patient. We believe in the compassion of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno. We trust he will do the right thing.”

Samuel John Ebong, the founder’s son, also appealed directly to the governor, saying, “We are not fighting government. We are Akwa Ibom people. We are appealing to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to set up a committee and ensure this compensation is paid. Let peace reign.”