…..Residents of Umuawulu claim repeated attacks and land encroachment have threatened their ancestral property, farms and homes.
Residents of Umuenu Quarters in Umuawulu Community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, over an alleged land dispute and attacks by suspected land grabbers.
The community is also urging the Attorney-General to release a case file concerning eight defendants, saying the criminal proceedings should be allowed to continue before the High Court in Awka.
The petition, signed by the community’s counsel, Hyacinth Moghalu, was reportedly delivered to the Attorney-General’s office on July 6, 2026. A copy was made available to journalists on September 11.
The case, identified as Charge No. A/81C/2024, The State v. Ifeanyichukwu Nwogbo and seven others, is reportedly pending before High Court No. 1 of the Anambra State High Court, Awka Judicial Division.
Community Claims Ownership of Disputed Land
In the petition, the Umuenu community claimed ownership and possession of a large expanse of land known as “Agu Ofu” in Umuawulu.
The residents traced the dispute to 1928, alleging that members of Abo Ani community in Awgbu, Orumba North Local Government Area, had trespassed on the land.
They stated that Umuenu community subsequently instituted Suit No. 65/28 before the Mbalinofu Native Court in Awka and obtained judgment in its favour.
According to the petition, an appeal to the District Officer was dismissed, while the Native Court’s judgment was upheld.
The community further alleged that members of Enugwu Village, Umuawulu, entered the disputed land in 2020, seized farming implements and uprooted yam seedlings.
Community Committees Reportedly Back Umuenu Claim
The petition stated that the traditional ruler of Umuawulu later established a five-member committee to investigate the land dispute.
According to the community, the committee heard evidence from both sides and concluded that the land belonged to Umuenu.
The petition also referred to a subsequent mediation panel established by the Umuawulu Progress Union and chaired by legal practitioner Chief Azubuike Anazor.
The community claimed that the panel similarly found in favour of Umuenu and advised members of Enugwu Village to stop further trespass.
These findings and earlier judgments were presented as part of the materials the petitioners want the Attorney-General to consider during the case-file review.
Community Alleges Attack on Farmers
The petition alleged that on June 19, 2024, members of Enugwu Village attacked Umuenu residents who were farming on the disputed land.
The petitioners claimed that the attackers used dangerous weapons and inflicted injuries on several people.
They also alleged that Humphrey Obi, one of the complainants in the case, sustained serious injuries during the incident and later died from complications.
The claim has not been independently established in the materials reviewed, and the defendants’ response was not included in the petition.
Petitioners Seek Continuation of Prosecution
According to the petition, the police arrested the defendants and eventually charged them to court.
The community alleged that the case file was later recalled by the former Attorney-General for review.
The petition stated that the former Attorney-General subsequently approved the continuation of the prosecution after a mediation process and issued a fiat to H.N.C. Ogbalu to prosecute the case on behalf of the state.
The petitioners said the present review represents the second recall of the case file.
They are asking Attorney-General Tobechukwu Nweke to consider the documents and findings referenced in the petition before reaching a legal decision.
Widow Joins Call for Justice
The Umuenu community and Esther Obi, widow of the late Humphrey Obi, appealed to the Attorney-General to release the case file and allow the judicial process to proceed.
They said a transparent legal process would help address the dispute and provide an avenue for justice.
The allegations contained in the petition remain claims by the community. The response of the accused persons and any official position from the Anambra State Government were not included in the available material.
