The Writ of Possession in disputed Ujara Ukwuakwu land in Ututu, Arochukwu LGA of Abia State, has been executed by officials of the Abia State High Court, Umuahia, ending a protracted land case that started in Ututu native court, on July 8, 1949.
The execution of the Writ of Possession, which happened on Tuesday, followed a warrant granted by Justice Chido Nwakamma in Suit No. HU/66M/2025 against judgement debtors of November 6, 1984 suit.
Officials of the Abia State High Court, who arrived at Arochukwu LGA from Umuahia on Tuesday, handed over the documents to the leaders of Ukwuakwu Ututu and their neighbors/claimants, Obinto community.
Also, sign posts and other signs giving the possession of the land to the people of Ukwuakwu were installed by the Abia State High Court officials in line with the directive of the Court.
Speaking in his community after receiving the Writ of Possession documents, the traditional ruler of Ukwuakwu Ututu, Ezeogo Michael Ogbonnaya said that his community had earlier secured victories in consolidated suits No. HU/38/71 and HU/45/71 on the ownership of the land.
He recalled that Squadron Leader, R.A. Clarke of the Ututu native Court had on July 8, 1949, delivered judgement in favour of Ukwuakwu Ututu people against the people of Obinto.
The community maintained that the dispute dates back to July 8, 1949, when the Ututu Native Court began hearing the matter, adding that after hearing evidence and inspecting the land, ruled in favour of the people of Ukwuakwu on September 28, 1949, dismissing the claims of the opposing party.
“The High Court sitting in Umuahia delivered a landmark judgment on November 6, 1984, declaring title to the land in favour of Ukwuakwu, awarding damages for trespass and granting possession, alongside a perpetual injunction against further acts of trespass.
“The decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, on January 11, 1991, after both the appeal and cross-appeal were dismissed.
“No further appeal was filed at the Supreme Court”, the traditional ruler said.
Ezeogo Michael Ogbonnaya, who regretted that rubber plantation belonging to his community was destroyed by Obinto land claimants during the peak of the land dispute, praised the judiciary for taking a firm stance in ending the seventy-seven years of communal tension.
He appealed for peace and urged neighbouring communities, particularly Obinto, to embrace the court’s decision.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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