Jubilation In Enugu Community Over Victory In Legal Battle

Amankpaka Community Ugwuogo Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has been thrown into jubilation following a judgement of the High Court of the State sitting on its appellate jurisdiction in suit No. CME/288/2021 between Chief Festus Oguegbe v. Hon. Gab Onu & 5Ors

The matter was a dispute between the Chief Festus Oguegbe Anieto and Hon. Gab Onu & 5Or on perpetuation of Hon Gab Onu on the community’s power of Attorney.

An Enugu magistrate court in Enugu South Magisterial district presided over by Chief Magistrate, Hon. I.M. Mamah had earlier tried the matter and dismissed it on what the called lack jurisdiction by the plaintiff; a situation the community described as miscarriage of justice and however resulted in an appeal by Chief Oguegbe to the Enugu State High court which had an appellate jurisdiction on the matter.

The Appellant who is the General Secretary of Amankpaka community Ugwogo Nike General Assembly had sought at the trial court the following reliefs against the Defendants/Respondents:

A declaration that the purported move by the defendants to constitute by themselves, agents, privies by proxy a new and fresh Members of Amankpaka Community Power of Attorney without recourse to the Elders in Council and the General Assembly of Amankpaka as required by the Constitution of Amankpaka is unlawful.

An order of perpetual Injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, privies, Agents and or by any person(s) acting on their behalf from constituting a fresh and or new members of power of Attorney in Amankpaka Community against the provisions of the Constitution of Amankpaka Community. and

An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to respect and give effect to the tenet and the provisions of the Constitution of Amankpaka Community Ugwuogo Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, more particularly, as it relates to the appointment and reconstitution of the new and fresh members of Amankpaka Community Power of Attorney.

The High Court of Enugu State sitting on its appellate jurisdiction presided by Hon. Justice R. N. Orji after hearing
the appeal, and while delivering judgment in favour of the Appellant set aside the judgment of the trial Court which it categorically stated that it had no jurisdiction to hear the matter “abinitio”.
In court judgement delivered on the 23rd day of June, 2025. the court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff/appellant, asking the respondent to abide by the dictates of law.

The Community consequently expressed its deep confidence in judicial system as the judgment of the appellate Court has shown and demonstrated in its judgment that nothing can be built on illegality and be expected to stand.

Speaking on the victory in the court David Chibuzo Ugwuede one of the community leaders lauded the decision of the the Enugu state High court for saving the community from an unconstitutional conformity and legal emasculation that would have plunge the community into crisis.

“There’s ray of light and hope coming into the community and the people are hopeful that there’s going to be a light at the end of the tunnel”, he said.