A 96-year-old elder led hundreds of residents from Umuenu Quarters in a demonstration on Wednesday, protesting what they called the deputy governor's interference in a land dispute the Supreme Court had already settled. Elder Stephen Okoye, the oldest man in Umuenu Quarters, spearheaded the march in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The dispute centres on fertile territory called Agu Umuenu, which residents claim belongs to their community. Okoye, his voice breaking with emotion, said the disagreement stretched back to the colonial period and that courts had confirmed Umuenu's ownership after years of litigation.
"This land dispute started during the colonial era and after a protracted litigation, it was acknowledged that Umuenu is the owner of the land," Okoye told the gathered crowd. "We are surprised that people who are not indigenous to this area should be claiming our land."
He accused Enugwu Quarters, one of three quarters in Umuawulu, of stirring trouble by now seeking the deputy governor's backing. Okoye pointed out that Enugwu had previously testified in favour of another community, Awgbu, during earlier court proceedings over the same land.
"Enugwu people are only trying to ignite crisis in Umuawulu," Okoye said. "They are not original people of Umuawulu and we wonder how they want to claim land that was there before they came."
He warned that allowing the deputy governor to reopen the matter would be reckless. "It is dangerous to twist this matter and the Deputy Governor should not be talking of sharing our land after all the courts have decided on the matter," he added.
Bernard Mbolu, president of Umuenu Quarters Assembly, provided a detailed history of the case. He said litigation began in 1927 and reached the Supreme Court, which ruled in Umuenu's favour in 1963.
"We are the rightful owners of the land known as Agu Udo Umuoma and Agu Ofuu, which were collectively named Agu Umuenu," Mbolu stated. "There is no other quarter contesting the ownership of the land with us until 2020."
After defeating Awgbu in court, Umuenu signed a memorandum of understanding with them that included boundary demarcation. Mbolu said Enugwu then shockingly invaded the territory despite having testified for Awgbu.
The matter went before the Igwe-in-Council, where a 20-member committee investigated. Each quarter nominated ten members, with neutral Agbana quarter providing the chairman, Professor Ezenwaji, while Cyril Ezeofor served as secretary.
"After hearing from the two quarters, the committee decided that the land belongs to Umuenu people," Mbolu explained. Enugwu rejected the ruling, he added.
Violence erupted in 2024 when Umuenu residents went to farm the land. Mbolu said Enugwu residents attacked them with weapons, leaving one man, Humphrey Obi, severely injured.
"One of our brothers, Mr. Humphrey Obi, sustained severe injuries during the incident and later died," Mbolu told reporters.
