“Our People No Longer Farm”: Umuenu Raises Alarm Over Umuawulu’s Century-Old Land Dispute

By Olisemeka Sony – Awka

The people of Umuenu Quarters in Umuawulu community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have raised the alarm over the impact of a land dispute dating back to 1928, saying their people can no longer access their farmlands.

The community also called on the Anambra State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, to remain neutral in the case and allow the court to determine the matter.

The appeal came on Friday after the Awka High Court adjourned the case involving Umuenu and Enugwu Quarters to October 12, November 9, and December 7, 2026, for further hearing.

Speaking with journalists at the court premises, Chairman of Umuenu Quarters, Comrade Bernneth Mbolu, appealed to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to intervene in the dispute.

Mbolu alleged that the ancestral land in contention belongs to Umuenu Quarters and accused Enugwu Quarters of working with the state Attorney-General to take over the land.

He said the community had earlier petitioned the Attorney-General to stay away from the case and allow the court to follow due process.

“We are happy with the court’s position on the matter. We want the State Attorney-General to steer clear and allow the court to reach its decision,” Mbolu said.

He added, “It is unacceptable for the State Attorney to say he has interest in a land case that has been on since 1928.”

Mbolu alleged that land invasion and land grabbing had increased in the area since the involvement of the Attorney-General.

He also said the dispute had claimed the life of a community leader, Mr Humphrey Obi, who, according to him, left behind a widow and four children.

“As I am speaking to you now, our people no longer go to farm,” he said.

Mbolu explained that the disputed land was the only farmland available to Umuenu people, while neighbouring Enugwu Quarters had seven parcels of land.

“We are tearfully appealing to the state government for urgent intervention so that our means of livelihood, farming, will be restored,” he appealed.

Responding to the allegations, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, said all land-related criminal cases for which petitions had been submitted to his office were under review.

He said 180 such cases were currently being reviewed and denied allegations that his office was taking sides.

“We are reviewing all land-related criminal cases in the state in respect of which petitions have been submitted to my office, and the allegations of taking sides are not true,” Nweke said.

He added, “Those which are civil in nature will be discontinued so that the parties can go to a civil court.”

The land dispute between the two quarters remains before the Awka High Court, with further hearing scheduled for October, November, and December 2026.

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