By Michael Nnebife
Concerned citizens of Ire Village, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, have dragged some former leaders of the village, to the High Court of Anambra State at the Anaocha Judicial Division, Neni, over alleged illegal sales of Ofia Mgbenu land belonging to the village.
‎The concerned citizens, Chief Daniel Obiora, Chuka Obiora, Tee Okonkwo, August Okoye, Nathaniel Okafor, and Chinedu Obiora, acting for themselves and on behalf of other concerned members of the village as the plaintiffs, were praying the court to revoke alleged land transaction by the former village leaders, Albert Okafor, Gilbert Echezona, Daniel Mbonu, Sunday Okonkwo, and Godwin Onyema, who are also natives of the village, with unamed buyers and developers, as defendants in suit no, NN…/19…/2025.
‎Briefing newsmen shortly after the pre-trial conference on the suit, on October 21, the representative of the plaintiffs, C. F. Nzegwu-Abana, said despite the fact that all the defendants had been served with notice, only one defendant appeared in court.
‎She said the plaintiffs informed the court of their pending motion for extension to regularize the reply by the first defendant, Albert Okafor. ‘The motion was moved and granted by the court,’ she said.
‎One of the concerned citizens and former secretary of the village, Mr Ikechukwu Nwogodu, who spoke with newsmen, alleged that the accused not only sold the said land but also misappropriated some portions of land among themselves.
‎He emphasized that the court should revoke the land, for the resolution of the village on the land to be implemented.
‎After hearing the counsel to the plaintiffs and that of the first defendant, Hon Justice G. C. Anulude adjourned the matter to March 10, 2027.‎
