Customary Court Settles 12 Years Land Dispute

A man who stabbed his banker wife to death in Lagos in June, 2011, Akolade Arowolo (middle), sandwitched by prison officials after he was sentenced to death by Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, recently. Photo: NAN

A Customary Court in
Egwi Court District in Rivers State has settled a 12 years land dispute, Okwu Uzo Ulakwo land in Etche Local Government Area of the state in favour of the claimants Umunwoji family of Nihi in a suit number ECC/35/2010.
The claimant in the matter, Chief Basil Otamiri, Elder Maxwell Nwala and Godpower Nwala on behalf of Umuwoji family of Nihi Etche approached the court in respect of a land called Ijkwu Uzo Ulakwo or Auka land purportedly owned by the defendants, Ebenezer Nwuze and Fabian Nwusi of Umoji of Afara Etche.
The claimant in their originating suit dated 2010 among other things prayed the court to declare that they are the original owners of the land known as Okwu Uzo Ulakwo or Auka land from time immemorial.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on 5th February, 2014 by the chairman of the Egwi Customary Court District, Barr. Kenneth Anebo and Ebenezer Agbam, member ruled that the claimants are the original owners of the land known and as called Okwu Ozo Ulakwo or Auka land from time immemorial.
The court further ruled that the pledged transaction between late Onyebuneyi, Nwuzi and late Dominic Nwuzi gave part of the land to late Dominic Umuoji of Afara Etche adding that the said pledge transaction has expired after seven farming period which commenced in 1960.
The court therefore ordered that the claimants resume ownership and possessory right over the land.
The court further restrained perpetually the defendants either by themselves or their privies or servants from interfering with the claimants’ right of ownership and possession of the land called “Okwu Uzo Ulakwo”.