By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Government has finally won a nine years legal tussle over the ownership of the land at the popular Nkwo Triangle Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

According a statement on the Facebook book page of the state’s Ministry of Justice, the Chief Judge of Anambra state, Justice Onochie M. Anyachebelu, delivered the judgement that brought to an end the nine years land tussle on June 22, 2023 in favour of the Anambra state Governor.

The statement reads: ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT IS IN LAWFUL POSSESSION OF NKWO TRIANGLE NNEWI.

“In the suit HN/156/2014 PHARM. MBADIWE OKONGWU & 8 ORS. AND THE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE & ANOR., filed at the High court of Nnewi in 2014, the Plaintiffs who sued for themselves and as trustees of Nzukora Nnewi, Nnewi Town Union claimed in the writ that the ownership of the land situate at Nkwo triangle Nnewi belongs to Nnewi people and was not at any time validly revoked by the Anambra state government.

“The Plaintiffs also claimed that the purported revocation is null and void given that they were not served with the revocation notice nor paid compensation.

“They also contended that the purported revocation was not for public purpose given that the land purportedly acquired was granted to a private person contrary to the provisions of land use Act of 1978.

“On their own part, the defendants, the Anambra state Governor & Anor. Contended that the notice of revocation was served and that the state government complied with all the formal requirements, before and during the acquisition of the Nkwo Triangle Nnewi land.

“Judgement was eventually delivered, bringing to an end the suit that ran from 2014 –2023.

“The plaintiffs were represented by learned SAN, Justina Offiah, and learned state counsel, L E Nwangwu, an Assistant Director of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice represented the state government.”