The people of Umuenu Quarters, Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have again called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, to remain neutral in the protracted land dispute between Umuenu and Enugwu Quarters of the community.
The call was made on Friday at the premises of the Awka High Court after Justice Ike Ogu adjourned the 98-year-old land dispute case to October 12, November 9 and December 7, 2026, for further hearing.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of Umuenu Quarters, Comrade Bennett Mbolu, said the land in contention has been in dispute since 1928 and belongs to Umuenu.
Mbolu alleged that Enugwu Quarters was collaborating with the office of the Attorney-General to forcefully take over the land, describing the AG’s alleged interest in the case as unacceptable.
“We are happy with the position of the court today. We will continue to ask the Attorney-General to steer clear of the case and allow the court to follow due process to its logical conclusion,” Mbolu said.
He appealed to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to intervene urgently, saying the disputed land is the only farmland available to Umuenu people while Enugwu has seven parcels of land.
According to him, activities of land grabbers and invaders have increased in the area since the involvement of the Attorney-General, adding that farming activities have been disrupted.
“Our people no longer go to farm. Our means of livelihood is threatened. We want peace and unity to be restored in Umuawulu,” he said.
Mbolu added that the dispute had claimed the life of a community leader, Mr. Humphrey Obi, who left behind a widow and four children.
Reacting to the allegations, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, denied taking sides.
He said his office is currently reviewing about 180 land-related criminal cases in the state where petitions have been submitted.
“We are reviewing all land-related criminal cases in respect of which petitions have been submitted to my office. The allegation of taking sides is not true,” Nweke said.
“Those which are civil in nature will be discontinued so that parties can go to a civil court,” he added.
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