Family Of Slain Ex-Enugu High Court Judge, Justice Stanley Nnaji, Cries Out As Govt Demolishes House Without Court Order
The family of the late former Enugu State High Court judge, Justice Stanley Nnaji, who was assassinated on May 31, 2021, has accused the Enugu State Government of illegally demolishing his residence without any valid court order.
The property, located at 1B Constitution Close, GRA, Enugu, was pulled down on August 7, 2025, by officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), who were accompanied by armed security operatives. The demolition was reportedly carried out on the instructions of the Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory, Rt. Hon. Uche Anya.
Family Denies Illegal Occupation
members of the late former judge’s family insisted they were the rightful owners of the house, stressing that the property had been legally monetised by a previous government to Justice Nnaji while he was still in service. They said the demolition was executed without prior notice, due process, or a court order, leaving them homeless.
According to the family, certain individuals have been parading fake title documents and a forged Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) in a desperate attempt to fraudulently claim ownership of the property, allegedly working in connivance with officials of the Enugu Capital Territory.
A source close to the family disclosed that these same individuals once approached them, asking to share the premises. When the family declined, the source alleged, the trespassers colluded with ECTDA officials to carry out the demolition “in a commando style.”
“They came with armed security men, pulled down everything, and rendered us homeless. It is a harrowing experience,” the source lamented.
Call For Intervention
The family has now appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and “well-meaning Nigerians” to intervene and prevail on Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Enugu Capital Territory, and other relevant authorities to rescind the decision and rebuild the demolished house.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, a bulldozer is seen surrounded by armed operatives as it pulls down the structures while residents watch helplessly.
The family also accused Christopher Okwudili Ani (popularly known as Okwy Anya Red) and Ben Alukwu (Onyeze) of masterminding the demolition.
Government Denies Wrongdoing
When contacted, the Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory, Uche Anya, denied any wrongdoing. He insisted the property did not belong to the late judge.
He explained that the demolition was carried out at the request of what he described as the genuine owners, who had asked that all structures allegedly built illegally on the land be removed.
“Some people came here with a fake document that they want to build whatever they like, and you know, when you want to build anything, you must give us the title. They show something, and somehow, the Enugu Geographic Information System (EGIS) said the paper was fake,” Anya said.
Apparently, the genuine owner of the property has now applied that they want to demolish the illegal structures on their property. I said, ‘Where is your document?’ They showed us their documents, and EGIS confirmed that they are the genuine and real owners of the property.”
“The late Nnaji has been living on sentiment. Their father tried to have the place monetised, and you know the circumstances that made him leave the service. The place was not monetised and has been sold three times over to another person.
“They are just trying to claim what is not true. Let them show you their allocation paper,” Anya stated.
The late judge was murdered by unknown gunmen in Enugu on May 31, 2021. He was dragged out of his car and shot at close range.
