My husband paid the supreme price fighting for justice, Widow laments

In Umuawulu, Anambra State, Nigeria, the community of Umuenu Quarters is grappling with the loss of Humphrey Obi, a former chairman of the Quarters Assembly, who died amid a protracted land dispute. His widow, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, tearfully recounted how her husband became a victim while pursuing justice for their ancestral land, Agu Umuenu.

“

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.

The land, known as Agu Udo Umuoma and Agu ofuu, has been a subject of litigation since 1927, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Umuenu in 1963. Despite this legal affirmation, the dispute reignited in 2020 when a neighboring quarter, Enugwu, which had initially testified for another community (Awgbu) against Umuenu, began encroaching on the land.

“

It is therefore unfortunate that my husband became a victim of this land dispute.

Bernard Mbolu, President of the Umuenu Quarters Assembly, highlighted the community's struggle to retain their inheritance. He explained that after the 1963 Supreme Court decision, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Awgbu for boundary demarcation. However, Enugwu quarters, despite their prior testimony, invaded the land. A committee set up by local authorities ruled in favor of Umuenu, but Enugwu rejected the decision, leading to the ongoing conflict and Humphrey Obi's death.

“

The highest court in the land decided that Umuenu people are the rightful owners of the land known as Agu Udo Umuoma and Agu ofuu, which were collectively named Agu Umuenu.