By Vincent Ujumadu
It was an emotional atmosphere at Umuenu Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State when a widow, Mrs Nkechi Obi, wife of the former chairman of Umuenu Quarters Assembly, Umuawulu, Mr Humphrey Obi, broke down in tears to narrate the circumstances that led to her husband’s death while pursuing justice in the community.
The people of Umuenu Quarters of Umuawulu had gathered that day to protest the alleged attempt by another village in the area to usurp their massive Agu Umaauenu land. Elderly men, women, and youths of the community who gathered in the village hall vowed not to give up their inheritance, especially when the battle had taken the life of their former chairman.
“My late husband narrated to me the history of that land, and there was peace in the community until some rich and influential people developed interest in the land. I remember that my husband used to plant rice on the said land and nobody was molesting anybody.
“Until the unfortunate incident that led to his death, most families were going there to farm. We were also harvesting palm fruits, processing them and keeping them there until we were ready to carry them to the market, and nobody was stealing them. It is therefore unfortunate that my husband became a victim of this land dispute”, Mrs Obi lamented.
