By Vincent Ujumadu
A 96-year-old man, Elder Stephen Okoye, on Wednesday led hundreds of residents of Umuenu Quarters in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, in a protest over what they alleged was an attempt by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, to intervene in a land dispute they said had already been decided by the Supreme Court.
Speaking during the protest, Okoye, who described himself as the oldest man in Umuenu Quarters, said the community had been in a long-running dispute with Enugwu Quarters over the Agu Umuenu land, which he described as fertile.
In an emotion-laden voice, Okoye lamented what he described as attempts to take over the land, saying such actions were uncommon during his younger days.
He said: “This land dispute started during the colonial era and after a protracted litigation, it was acknowledged that Umuenu is the owner of the land. We are surprised that people who are not indigenous to this area should be claiming our land.”
