Awka Petitions IGP Against Alleged Police Interference In Land Dispute
Chief Kenneth Afamefuna Ezekwesili, a community leader from Umuike village, Awka, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged interference by police officers in a Obuagu land dispute that has lingered since 1974.
Ezekwesili, in his petition, made available in Awka on Tuesday, alleged that a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and one Monday attached to the Anambra Criminal Investigation Department (CID) were acting in ways that undermine ongoing judicial processes in the disputed known as Egbeana-Obibia Land.
He said the dispute was between Obuagu Awka and Umuomamu Ifite Nibo communities, with Umuike, Umuoruka and Umujagwo villages in Awka laying claim to the land as original owners.
According to him, the matter has been litigated across multiple courts, with judgments delivered in favour of the Umuike community at both the High Court in Awka and the Court of Appeal in Enugu.
“The case is presently pending before the Supreme Court,” he said.
Ezekwesili cited the rulings of Suit No. AA/57/1974 of the High Court, Awka, presided over by Justice J.C.O. Emekwue, and Appeal No. CA/E/16/2008 at the Court of Appeal, Enugu, where the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision.
But in spite these rulings, the petitioner alleged that Police officers had continued to intervene in the matter, allegedly siding with opposing parties and frustrating lawful activities on the land.
He said he relied on court orders which permitted Umuike people to access and develop the land to visit the area in February 2026 but was arrested by one Monday and taken before a DCP who warned him against returning to the land.
The petitioner further alleged that he was compelled to secure his release on bail for N300,000 following the first arrest.
He said subsequent visits to the land resulted in additional arrests, culminating in his arraignment before a Magistrate Court in Awka in Suit No. MAW/43C/2026, Commissioner of Police vs. Kenneth Afamefuna Ezekwesili & 9 Others, a case which he said remains pending.
“I have been arrested three times in connection with the dispute, these actions of the police officers were aimed at intimidating me and undermining favourable court judgments already secured by my community.
“These officers justified the arrests using the claim of ‘conduct likely to cause communal war’ which is just a pretext to interfere in a civil land matter.
“The DCP and officer Monday are acting “in concert” and benefiting financially from their involvement, because portions of the disputed land have been sold while litigation is ongoing.
“My worry is that land disputes in Anambra have become avenues for illicit enrichment by vested interests and the continued interference by law enforcement could erode public confidence in the justice system,” he said.
Ezekwesili urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the conduct of the officers involved and ensure that the police refrain from intervening in matters already before competent courts.
He insisted that the rule of law must prevail, calling for protection of his rights and those of his community to peacefully utilise the land in line with subsisting court judgments.
The Anambra State Police Command has not issued an official response to the allegations as at press time.
