By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
In his bid to ensure justice, an Otuocha High court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Presided over by Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto, has ordered survey of disputed lands known as Okah/Okpokolo Onuocha and Aguocha parcels of land situated along Obiogbo Agwa village Ifite Nteje, Oyi local Government Area.
He went further to order also that counsels in the suit should notify their colleagues of their visit to the disputed lands for the purposes of survey including that all the parties are restrained from tampering with the subject matter pending the hearing of the suit.
Justice Anieto gave the order after hearing the submissions of Victor Ikeme with the brief of Dr J.C. Onuoha, for the plaintiffs, and C.J. Chukwunonso the 1st defendant and A.C. Arinze for the 2nd defendant.
The defendants included, a surveyor, Remy Uchenna Anyadike, Christopher Nweke, Michael Onwosi, Nweke Nwafor, Nnaemeka Agbankpu, Obi Ndife, Sunday Nwogbo and Uchenna Uyaemesi.
The court made the order in suit No. OT/145/2023, and adjourned to 17 January 2024 for pre trial conference on the suit.
The plaintiffs included, Chinweze Egwuatu , Ebere Ogboo, Chukwunonso Udoba, Emeka Nwabuisi and Amechi Ndua, for themselves and on behalf of Obiogbo-Agwa Ifite Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area.
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.”
Speaking outside the court room shortly after making the order by the judge, counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr JAC Onuoha, warned the public/prospective land purchasers at the disputed lands that the lands are subject of litigation between the said Plaintiffs and respondents and that an order of Injunction restraining both parties has been issued to that effect pending the hearing of the suit.
