The Enugu State High Court has adjourned the N14.5 billion suit filed against former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, and one Okechukwu Nnaji for alleged demolition of property belonging to members of the Nkomoro Onuogba Community in Enugu State until June 3, 2026.
The matter, which came up for mention on Tuesday before Justice Veronica Ajogwu, was adjourned to enable parties regularise their court processes after the defendants filed their statement of defence and a motion seeking extension of time.
Speaking shortly after the proceedings, counsel for the defendants, Mr Benjamin Nwobodo, said the court merely mentioned the matter and fixed a new date for continuation of proceedings.
“The first defendant has filed his defence. So today was for mention and the court has adjourned it to June 3 for us to regularise our processes,” Nwobodo told journalists
He maintained that the dispute over the land had already been decided by the court in 2013 and questioned the basis of the fresh suit.
Providing background to the dispute, Nwobodo explained that the original suit was instituted in 2001 by one Alinta against members of the Ezza community over ownership of the disputed land.
According to him, after Alinta’s death, his children substituted him in the suit, and judgment was eventually delivered in 2013 in favour of Alinta.
“The judgment was that Alinta was the owner of the property. Before Alinta died, he transferred his interest to Prof. Barth Nnaji, who is now the owner of the land,” he said.
He further stated that the execution of the judgment, including demolition on the land, was carried out lawfully by the court with police backing and not by Nnaji personally.
Responding to allegations that properties belonging to the plaintiffs were demolished, Nwobodo argued that demolition formed part of the lawful execution of a subsisting court judgment.
“If judgment is given to me over a property, it is my right to take possession or demolish structures there. It was demolished by the court and nothing else.
“Prof. Barth Nnaji has nothing to do with any allegations. Nobody is above the law,” the lawyer added,
Also speaking after the court session, counsel for the plaintiffs, Mr Peter Igwe, confirmed that the defendants served their statement of defence and accompanying motion on the plaintiffs shortly before the sitting commenced.
“Today they served us with their statement of defence with motion for extension of time within which to regularise their processes. We were just served this morning when court was about to sit.
“We informed the court that because we were just served, we needed time to study the processes and respond appropriately. So there was no substantial business today.”
The plaintiffs, who are 25 members of the Nkomoro Onuogba Community, had instituted the suit against the defendants over the alleged demolition of properties said to be worth billions of naira.
According to court documents, the plaintiffs are seeking compensation for 11 two-storey buildings, six three-storey buildings, 93 duplexes and 170 bungalows allegedly demolished.
They are also demanding N7 billion as compensation for seven deceased persons allegedly killed during the dispute.
In addition, the plaintiffs are seeking N3.4 billion for alleged looting of personal belongings, including motorcycles, televisions, mattresses, sewing machines, cooking utensils and air conditioners.
The plaintiffs are equally asking the court to declare them rightful owners of the disputed ancestral land and grant a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further interference with the property.
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