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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The raging dispute between Opi community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State and the Council Chairman, Jude Asogwa, over alleged attempt to grab their ancestral land for the construction a market project has taken a new twist.
The Enugu State Government has waded into the matter and directed the Council boss to stop the construction of market at the premises of the Customary Court, Opi, pending the outcome of the state government’s investigative panel into the issue.
In a letter to the LG Chairman, dated June 4, 2025 with reference no. ENS/SSG/M. 346/T. I/264, by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, he disclosed that the directive followed further complaints by concerned members of the host community after the visit of the investigative panel to the area: “It is therefore necessary for the panel to act in line with its responsibility and mandate to provide a lasting solution to the dispute and tension on the land. This cannot be achieved unless the process of resolution is seen to be fair in the perspective of all the parties.
“In view of the above, you are directed to stop work immediately on the proposed site until the investigative panel determines otherwise.”
The local government’s move had sparked anger across the area.
At a general meeting on June 7, 2025, at Aho-Ochie Opi, the Opi General Assembly took a firm stand against what it called a wanton invasion of their land.
In a communique signed on behalf of the community by the President General, K.G. Abonyi, and Secretary General, Kingsley Ugwuja, they alleged that the Council Chairman, acted without community consultation.
They also accused him of ignoring a standing directive from the Enugu State Government for him to stop work and allow for peaceful resolution: “The Opi Customary Court land was freely donated by the community for the sake of justice. We still want the government to use it for that purpose.
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“If Engr. Asogwa continues to work on the land in defiance of the state government and this resolution, we’ll consider it an affront and use every legal means to resist.”
The community, therefore, thanked Governor Peter Mbah for his intervention and pledged support for his administration’s developmental plans, so long as they respect the rights and voices of host communities.
Meanwhile, the Opi Lawyers Forum has petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nsukka Branch, urging the body to step in and stop the council boss from turning the court premises into a market.
The letter, by Dr. Casmir Agbo Uchenna (Chairman) and Chukwudi Nnamani (Secretary), said the land had been a target for conversion since 2014, but recent developments crossed a line: “In January 2025, Engr. Asogwa stormed the land with earth-moving equipment, thugs, and armed security men. He’s now laying foundation blocks, despite resistance from the community and without any legal backing.”
They further alleged that the Council Chairman is relying on a controversial letter of approval from the President of the Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice G.C. Nnamani, a document they say holds no legal weight: “This land was given to bring justice closer to the people, not to sell cement and planks.
“What is happening is illegal, unconstitutional, and a slap on the Bar and the Bench. We can’t sit and watch this happen.”
In addition, the Forum urged the NBA to write to the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and the Chief Judge of Enugu State to demand an immediate stop to the development and the withdrawal of any purported approvals.
They warned that if the alleged letter from Justice Nnamani is not withdrawn, the NBA should consider reporting him to the appropriate disciplinary bodies.
The embattled Council boss, Asogwa, told Daily Sun that the market project in Opi was to develop the area as well as a way of keying into the development agenda of Governor Peter Mbah.
