By Praise Chinecherem
Eight persons, including, a surveyor, Remy Uchenna Anyadike, Christopher Nweke, Michael Onwosi, Nweke Nwafor, Nnaemeka Agbankpu, Obi Ndife, Sunday Nwogbo and Uchenna Uyaemesi, may risk jail term over contempt of court of an Otuocha High court, sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Presided over by Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto, made on 20th day of October, 2023.
The defendants were served with form 48, by Chinweze Egwuatu , Ebere Ogboo, Chukwunonso Udoba, Emeka Nwabuisi and Amechi Ndua, (plaintiffs), for themselves and on behalf of Obiogbo-Agwa Ifite Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area, to show cause why they (defendants), should not be jailed for disobeying the order of the court.
Recall that the court had in the suit No. OT/145/2023, made an order granting the plaintiffs/applicants leave after hearing the submissions of Barr. J.A.C. Onuoha, (counsel to plaintiffs), to enter the land in dispute known as Okah/Okpokolo/Onuocha and Aguocha parcels of land, situated at Obiogbo Agwa village, Ifite Nteje, for purposes of surveying it in order to show the exact areas of the lands in dispute and present characters and features of the said lands.
The plaintiffs in the form 48, claimed that the defendants did not obey the court order as they refused the plaintiffs from entering the disputed land for purposes of surveying to show the exact areas of lands in dispute.
In the affidavit of facts presented by the first plaintiff, Chinweze Egwuatu, he said, “On Monday, the 27th day of November, 2023, the plaintiffs/applicants’ surveyor, went to survey the land in dispute and the defendants/respondents called upon their agents who are the third to eight contemnors and they beat up the surveyor and his workers and destroyed their tools.
“The defendants prevented the plaintiffs’ surveyor from carrying out his assignment as ordered by this honourable court. A photograph of the incident was taken by a digital phone and is hereby annexed and marked Exhibit A.”
