77-Year-Old Land Dispute Ends as Ukwuakwu-Ututu Community Takes Possession of Ujara Land

The people of Ukwuakwu in Ututu Community, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, have announced the commencement of lawful possession of the disputed Ujara Ukwuakwu land following the execution of a Writ of Possession issued by the High Court of Abia State.

The development, contained in a press statement by the community, marks what it described as the end of a legal battle that lasted 77 years and spanned several courts, multiple generations and different administrations.

According to the statement, the execution of the writ followed judgments delivered in consolidated suits over the ownership of the land, culminating in the enforcement of the court’s decision.

The community maintained that the dispute dates back to July 8, 1949, when the Ututu Native Court began hearing the matter. It said the court, after hearing evidence and inspecting the land, ruled in favour of the people of Ukwuakwu on September 28, 1949, dismissing the claims of the opposing party.

Despite the ruling, the community alleged that the dispute resurfaced in the early 1970s after its rubber plantation on the land was destroyed and fresh claims were made over the property.

Rather than resorting to violence, the community said it remained committed to resolving the matter through the courts.

“This is not the triumph of might, nor the spoils of muscle, nor the harvest of self-help. It is the quiet, thunderous vindication of the rule of law,” the statement read.

It further stated that the High Court sitting in Umuahia delivered a landmark judgment on November 6, 1984, declaring title to the land in favour of Ukwuakwu, awarding damages for trespass and granting possession, alongside a perpetual injunction against further acts of trespass.

The community said the decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, on January 11, 1991, after both the appeal and cross-appeal were dismissed.

It added that no further appeal was filed at the Supreme Court.

According to the statement, subsequent attempts to delay enforcement of the judgment were unsuccessful.

It noted that in 2002, the High Court ordered the issuance of a Writ of Possession, while applications seeking to stay execution were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in 2003.

The final legal process, it said, was completed on May 20, 2025, when Justice C. Chido Nwankama granted leave for the Registrar of the Abia State High Court to issue the Writ of Possession. The warrant was signed and sealed on May 28, paving the way for the enforcement of the judgment.

“Nothing about this possession is improvised. It is the law, executing itself by its own appointed instruments,” the statement added.

While celebrating the development, the community appealed for peace and urged neighbouring communities, particularly Obinto and Ihechiowa, to embrace the court’s decision.

“We extend not gloating but counsel and an open hand. The same law that has spoken so consistently remains the only honourable path forward,” it stated.

The community also called on its members to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperate fully with court officials during the execution process.

The statement was jointly signed by Eze Michael Ogbonnaya Eke, Eze Ogo Ukwuakwu Ututu, and Engr. Kalu Okore Nto, President-General of the Ukwuakwu Ututu Development Association International.