An atmosphere of grief engulfed Umuenu Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State as Mrs Nkechi Obi, widow of former chairman of the Umuenu Quarters Assembly, Mr Humphrey Obi, tearfully recounted the events that allegedly led to her husband’s death while pursuing what the family described as justice over a disputed community land.
Residents of Umuenu Quarters had gathered to protest what they alleged was an attempt by another quarter in Umuawulu to take over the Agu Umuenu land. Men, women and youths of the community said they would not surrender what they consider their ancestral inheritance, especially after the dispute allegedly claimed the life of their former chairman.
Mrs Obi said her late husband had often explained the history of the land to her and that the community had lived peacefully for many years until influential individuals became interested in the property.
According to her, families regularly farmed on the land, harvested palm fruits and stored their produce there without any conflict or theft. She said it was painful that her husband became a victim of the dispute.
The President of Umuenu Quarters Assembly, Bernard Mbolu, said Umuawulu consists of Enugwu, Umuenu and Agbana quarters, but alleged that Umuenu is now being denied land inherited from its forefathers.
Mbolu stated that litigation over the land lasted from 1927 to 1963, moving from local authority courts to customary courts and eventually to the Supreme Court, which he said ruled in favour of Umuenu in 1963.
According to him, the apex court recognised Umuenu as the rightful owner of the land known as Agu Udo Umuoma and Agu Ofuu, collectively called Agu Umuenu.
He claimed that no other quarter challenged Umuenu’s ownership until 2020. During the earlier litigation, he alleged that Enugwu had testified in support of Awgbu Community. After Umuenu won the case, a permanent boundary was reportedly demarcated with Awgbu and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.
Mbolu further alleged that Enugwu later moved into the disputed land despite having earlier supported Awgbu’s claim.
He said the matter was subsequently referred to the Igwe in Council, and a 20-member committee was established by the then President-General of Umuawulu, Ozo I.K. Nkala, with Umuenu and Enugwu nominating 10 members each, while Agbana provided the chairman and secretary.
According to him, that committee also concluded that the land belonged to Umuenu, but Enugwu rejected the decision.
Mbolu alleged that in 2024, when Umuenu residents returned to farm on the land, they were attacked with dangerous weapons and Mr Humphrey Obi sustained severe injuries, including the loss of a hand, before later dying from the injuries.
He added that further efforts were made to resolve the dispute amicably, including discussions at a town hall meeting, but the disagreement persisted.
Mbolu said another committee made up of lawyers from the Umuawulu community was constituted on December 31, 2024, with Barrister Azubuike Anazo as chairman and Barrister Emeka Orji as secretary. He said the committee also concluded that the land belonged to Umuenu and advised the community to discontinue further litigation.
According to him, on July 7, 2026, both parties were invited to the office of the Anambra State Deputy Governor following a petition by Enugwu.
Mbolu said the Deputy Governor was considering the creation of a permanent boundary between the two quarters, but Umuenu was rejecting the proposal because it believes the matter had already been settled by the Supreme Court and several community committees.
He insisted that Agu Umuenu is the only land available to the quarter and accused those seeking government intervention of trying to take land that rightfully belongs to Umuenu.
