The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in Enugu State has filed a lawsuit against the state government, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, along with the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, over allegations of illegal land grabbing and encroachment.
The suit, filed at the State High Court on December 10, 2024, lists five community leaders—Chief Monday Igweshi, Chief Simeon Ede, Chief Christopher Ikechukwu Ugwu, Chief Joseph Ngwu, and Chief Kanayo O. Atu—as plaintiffs representing the community. They are demanding N1 billion in damages for the alleged unlawful invasion and destruction of economic crops on the disputed lands.
The contested parcels of land, identified as Otonozi Land, Ikiti Land, and New Jerusalem City Layout (Awana Land), are located within the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in Enugu South Local Government Area. The plaintiffs argue that these lands are ancestral properties owned communally by their community.
In their statement of claims, the plaintiffs described themselves as bona fide members of the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community and stated that they have the backing of the community’s leadership to initiate the legal action. They further asserted that the disputed lands have been managed by the community for generations through the Land Committee of Ugwuaji Awkunanaw.
The plaintiffs alleged that in July 2024, the state government, in collaboration with some political officeholders and associates, forcefully acquired the parcels of land without adhering to the legal procedures outlined in the Nigerian Constitution. They also accused the government of a pattern of unlawful land acquisitions in the past, including portions of Independence Layout Phases I and II, Republic Layout, and other areas in Enugu.
They maintained that these previous acquisitions were carried out without the consent of the community and often involved coercion and threats to silence opposition.
The plaintiffs are seeking the following reliefs from the court: a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, and any third parties from further interference with Otonozi Land, Ikiti Land, and New Jerusalem City Layout (Awana Land), and the payment of N1 billion as special damages for the alleged illegal acquisition and destruction of crops and economic resources on the lands.
The plaintiffs emphasized that the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community has consistently resisted attempts by individuals, corporations, and neighboring communities to unlawfully encroach on their lands. They noted that public notices had previously been issued, warning against unauthorized transactions on these lands without the approval of the traditional rulers, town union, and Land Committee.
The community described the alleged encroachment as a violation of their ancestral rights and a blatant disregard for legal protocols by the state government.
The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community, formerly known as Amechi Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, comprises four villages: Umunnugwu, Isiagu, Ndiaga, and Umunnajinngene. The plaintiffs stated that these villages are the rightful owners of the disputed lands and have collectively managed the properties for generations.
The case, marked E/1079/2024, is being handled by a team of lawyers led by G. O. Nwokeiwu. The outcome of this suit is expected to address the long-standing tension between the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community and the state government over land ownership and acquisition practices.
