By Karen James.




The least has not been heard as the Chief Judge of Anambra state, Justice Anyachebelu are neck deep in a land grabbing mess with the Okposieke Family of Onitsha community of Anambra state ably represented by Hon. Harold Ekwerekwu a member of the Okposieke family.



In a press interview with Barr. Harold Ekwerekwu, he said that the Anambra state Chief Judge, Justice Anyachebelu authorized and oversees the illegal and malicious demolition of his property with full support of the Anambra state Government under strict order by Justice Anyachebelu.



Speaking to news men at his office, Barr. Harold Ekwerekwu said that, state chief judge, Justice Anyachebelu acted tyrannically on the 18th day of January, 2021 by personally supervising the demolition of his properties situated on the parcel of land known as No 10 B Residency Drive G.R.A. Onitsha. Accompanied by Justice Anyachebelu and one Bar. Maduekwu amongst their entourage.




The said action was carried out under the pretence that the parcel of land belongs to the Anambra state Judiciary and that the Federal Government of Nigeria has no right over any land in the entire Anambra state and could not have surrendered it to the Okposike family of Onitsha community or to any of their representative.



However, Barr. Harold Ekwerekwu presented to news men documents/ copies of the lease agreement made in 1910 between the Okposieke family as absolute owners of the vast land in question and the then colonial Government in Nigeria which transcend to today’s Federal Government of Nigeria for vast land in the Onitsha metropolis generally called G.R.A. for 99 years which has expired in 2009 and upon the said expiration, the Federal Government in an orderly manner started surrendering various parts of the said lands that includes premises known as No 10 B Residency Drive G.R.A Onitsha, to the family.



Barr..Harold regretted the corrupt actions taken by the Anambra state chief judge by acting on an ex-parte order obtained as far back as 2019 and refusing to notify him over it till recently after the demolition of his properties.

He said that the ex-parte order they were using to justify their actions is with a view to vilify his fundamental right to own properties.

Also, he lamented that the plaintiff in the said proceeding was named as “ The Anambra State Judiciary “ a non juristic person and it is most unprecedented to say the least, for a court to issue an order in the name of a judiciary when it is elementary. Certainly, the Anambra State Judiciary is not a legal person and is incapable of suing or being sued and incapable of owning landed properties.


Moreover, Barr. Harold said that on the grounds of fair hearing, a judge of the same Anambra state Judiciary ought not preside over the matter as it is clearly a matter of person presiding over his own case, this is uncivilized he said; and it only happens in present Anambra State.



Nevertheless, Barr. Ekwerekwe said that the Anambra State Chief Judge claimed he had proposed constructing quarters for the Judges he intends to appoint in the future for the high court of Anambra state whereas some retired judges of the same high court of Anambra State still occupies some quarters after retirements, then why new quarters are forcibly built by the Chief Judge on this plot of land claiming to be Anambra States lands, he asked?



Furthermore, he said, that the Chief Judge wants to grab his land by intimidating him, by muscling him to chicken out of asserting his right to the said property in the name of Anambra Judiciary.



Why can’t he tell me that he just want to grab my land, he queried?

Perhaps, with a view to manipulate their end of coveting my land in the name of Judiciary, they surreptitiously sought for and were granted an ex-prate order made 2019 which they now use to defend their indefensible action. Did it not occur to the chief judge that it was totally strange to law that such an ex-prate order could never have been granted at the instance of a non- juristic person, Anambra State Judiciary? He asked!

The Barr. Harold called on all Nigerians to join him in calling the Anambra state government and chief judge, justice Anyachebelu to order, lest his actions if unabated ,would further destroy the already bulldozed image of the Judiciary in the state, to the extent that law keepers are now turning into law breakers.

He clearly stated that the Judge’s actions is injustice personified and abuse of office and powers of an expected giver of hope to the common man.



However to what we've gathered so far from one of our correspondent in KTVC, an eyewitness, name withheld, said that at around 8am on the 16th day of December,2021, officers from operation clean and healthy Anambra State (Ocha Brigade),Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Army Urban patrol, all came along to destroy the property of Okposeke in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Barr. Harold Ekwerekwu called on the State Governor to leave their property for them, saying they no longer have any land of their own.

“We own two third of the entire land in Onitsha GRA but now we don’t even have anything again.

“The state government has been selling our lands in the GRA to their friends and clonies, without recourse to us, the original owners.

“Our children stand the risk of not having a place to stay due to these activities of corrupt officials of the state government,” he lamented.

"Why did they want to push us out of our ancestorial lands and others alike released to them ,some retired judges are occupying acres and nobody asked to move out so that houses will be built for judges and why can't it be done outside onitsha?. Is a leasehold no longer a lease? Or are they time barred or is it caught up by the limitation period?.

The matter is subjudice at onitsha High Court and the calous nature of the government is contemptuous and flagriant abuse of power.

Also its to be noted that the state Chief judge called the lawyer Bar. Ekwerekwu and told him that he will deal with him and must make an order against him very soon.

The boss that led the operation Bar Chike Mmaduekwe is a blatant liar who was after what he wants to get from family and govt. But was dissatisfied and disappointed with the result of not having anything in return and maliciously demolished the wall fence.


The pertinent question here is can't the judiciary outline how they got the land and from which govt to which govt. Are they aware that GRA was on lease. Including where the chief judge is residing now. Bunch of land grabbers


That the world is waiting for Mr Mmaduekwe to prosecute the family lawyer with his " manufactured"law.


*The legal practitioner said the matter is at the High Court, Onitsha under Justice Onyefulu but the Chief Judge had gone to take the file himself, which they have queried.*

*He wondered why a matter will be subjudice and the governor of the state will be meddling in it.*


In conclusion, the land case have been in court, this is the suit number SUIT NUMBER 01/231/2019.

Ibo

Bmm