The traditional ruler of Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRM Igwe Dr. Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu (Eze Udo II), has dismissed allegations linking him to the ongoing land dispute between Enugwu and Umuenu quarters, describing the accusations as unfounded and aimed at discrediting both his person and the traditional institution.
Speaking during a press briefing at his palace on Friday, the Monarch said he was compelled to address recent protests and allegations made against him by some members of Enugwu Quarter over the disputed land.
Igwe Egwuonwu stressed that the matter is already before a competent court in Awka and urged all parties involved to refrain from actions capable of influencing the judicial process. He appealed to the disputing communities to allow the court to determine the ownership of the land peacefully.
According to the royal father, campaigns of protests and publications against him were orchestrated by individuals seeking to tarnish his reputation, insisting that he has remained impartial throughout the dispute.
Providing the historical background of the controversy, the monarch explained that there was no dispute between Enugwu and Umuenu quarters before 2019.
He said the original legal battle over the land was between Umuenu Quarter and Awgbu community, a case that was decided in favour of Umuenu by the Supreme Court in 1973.
He further claimed that some members of Enugwu Quarter had testified in support of Awgbu during the earlier litigation and did not assert ownership of the land on behalf of Enugwu, making their current claim inconsistent with their previous position.
The monarch disclosed that in 2020, following growing tension over the land, he constituted a five-member palace committee led by the Onowu of Umuawulu, Prof. Emma Ezenwaji, to investigate the matter. He said the committee concluded that the disputed land belonged to Umuenu Quarter.
He noted that Enugwu Quarter rejected the committee’s findings and subsequently approached the High Court in Awka to challenge the decision, a move he described as their constitutional right.
Igwe Egwuonwu also alleged that while the case was pending in court, some youths from Enugwu Quarter attacked farmers from Umuenu on the disputed land, leading to police intervention and criminal prosecution of those involved.
He added that the Umuawulu Progress Union later established a four-member peace and mediation committee chaired by Barrister Azubike Anazor to resolve the crisis. According to him, after reviewing documents, inspecting the land and consulting a licensed surveyor, the committee submitted its report in August 2025, affirming Umuenu Quarter’s ownership of the land and advising Enugwu Quarter to desist from acts of trespass.
The traditional ruler expressed disappointment that despite the pending court case, some individuals had continued to organise protests instead of allowing the judiciary to resolve the matter.
Responding to claims that he had taken sides because he hails from Umuenu Quarter, the monarch insisted that he had acted fairly and responsibly.
“My only offence is that I come from Umuenu, one of the communities involved in the dispute. I have remained neutral, as expected of a father whose children are in disagreement,” he said.
Igwe Egwuonwu called on residents of Umuawulu to maintain peace, avoid actions capable of escalating tensions, and respect the rule of law while awaiting the court’s final judgment on the matter.
By Sunny A. David, Awka
