Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community Sues Enugu State Government for Alleged Illegal Land Acquisition

The Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community in Enugu State has filed a lawsuit against the state government, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, over the alleged illegal possession of land in the region. The suit, which was filed at the State High Court, seeks N1 billion in damages for the unlawful occupation of parcels of land owned by the community.

The plaintiffs—chiefs and members of the community, including Chief Monday Igweshi, Chief Simeon Ede, Chief Christopher Ikechukwu Ugwu, Chief Joseph Ngwu, and Chief Kanayo O. Atu—represent the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community, located in Enugu South Local Government Area. They claim to be bona fide members and original owners of the lands in question, which include Otonozi Land, Ikiti Land, and New Jerusalem City Layout (Awana Land).

The plaintiffs allege that the defendants unlawfully invaded and destroyed economic and food crops on the aforementioned lands without following legal procedures. They are demanding that the court issue a perpetual injunction to prevent further interference with the lands and order the defendants to pay N1 billion in special damages.

The plaintiffs further stated that they hold the authority of the Ugwuaji Awkunanaw Community and the General Assembly to pursue the suit. They emphasized that the land in question has been communally owned by the entire community, which comprises villages such as Umunnugwu, Isiagu, Ndiaga, and Umunnajinngene.

The community has also faced repeated attempts by individuals, corporate entities, and neighboring communities to encroach on the land in the past. These attempts were reportedly resisted through court actions. The plaintiffs’ public notices warned against any unauthorized land transactions, urging individuals to seek prior approval from the community’s traditional leadership and land committee.

In their statement, the plaintiffs accused the Enugu State Government of having previously acquired large portions of their land without adherence to relevant laws, including several parcels in Independence Layout and attempts to forcefully acquire lands such as Odudo Efi Ndafu-ine and Community Secondary School Ugwuaji Land.

The plaintiffs allege that in July 2024, the defendants, in collaboration with certain political office holders from the community, forcefully acquired the lands known as Otonozi Land, Ikiti Land, and New Jerusalem City Layout, without complying with legal requirements.

The plaintiffs now seek legal recourse to protect their ancestral lands and hold the Enugu State Government accountable for their alleged unlawful actions.