By MICHAEL OVAT, Awka

Umueje community in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra State has offered a portion of its land to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, free of charge.

The Traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Elias Uyammadu Nneli, disclosed this to Journalists, shortly after a court session at the Federal High Court, Awka, on Thursday, presided over by Justice Nnadi Dimgba, that struck out a case brought to it by one of the community’s illustrious son, Mr Benson Amuluche.

Igwe Nneli explained that the land was given to the institution to put up its Annex agricultural faculty in the area and also to create job opportunities for the teeming youths from the community.

Tribune Online gathered that Chief Amuluche brought a case before the court to stop the community giving the land to the school management, alleging that the school should be paying royalty to the community which the traditional ruler and his cabinet kicked against.

They claimed that land ownership in the community was based on communal basis and that the constitution, right from inception, do not give land to visitors on royalty.

Igwe Nneli urged the plaintiff to have a rethink and join hands with the leadership of the community in bringing the desired development into the community

In reaction to the judgement, the counsel to the community, Barrister Lawrence Obiora, said the plaintiff, Mr Benson Amuluche, were looking for a declaration that they are the owners of the land that was given to the University.

The counsel said the contention of the community had been that the case was a land matter bothering on a declaration of title to land and that the court found out it has no legal jurisdiction to handle the matter and that the parties involved should meet the appropriate court.

The former deputy president-general of the community, Chief Felix Chidube, while saying the land was given to the institution in 2020, reasoned that the judgement favoured the community and will bring the desired partnership the community had wanted with UNIZIK.

He said, “the land was given in consonant with the laws of Umueje community. Some communities have been looking for this opportunity and we saw it as a privilege to give out our community land to the institution. The court struck out the suit and we are very happy, he said.

However, the prosecuting counsel refused to comment on the matter when he was approached by Journalists, immediately after the court session. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news