Tension is building up in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, over ownership of land between two senior lawyers in the state, Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN), and Ozonma Nobis Elendu.

News Express gathered that the issue surrounding the said land was resolved by the Supreme Court in 1994 but on July 12th, 2016, Counsel to Umuezegbe and Umuezeani communities of Aboji in Oba, Ozonma Nobis Elendu, warned the public to refrain from buying or negotiating to buy or lease the land or any part of it thereof.

According to the lawyer, the land is currently a subject of litigation in suit No: FHC/AWKICS/490/2015 between Evang. Benson Anajemba and eight others including the state government.

But, in a statement made available to journalists in Awka, Okafor debunked the claim of his learned colleague saying that the Oba International Market was established and sited entirely on the parcel of land exclusively owned by Ogwugwu Oba village community in Idemili South LGA for ages.

He said: “The exclusive ownership of Ogwugwu Oba community was confirmed first in the Judgment of a High Court in Onitsha, dated 21st November, 1983 delivered by Hon. Justice F.O. Awogu in suit No: 0/97/75 between N.O. Motanya & ORS (for themselves and for the entire members of Ogwugwu Oba) Vs Elijah Elinwa & ORS (For themselves and for and on behalf of members of Aboji Oba).

“The High Court Judgment was eventually affirmed and upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a Judgment delivered on the 5th August, 1994 in suit No: SC/87/89.

“The land in dispute in these cases is known and called Akabo Ogwugwu land verged green in plan No: ECAS/37/79 prepared by land surveyor, Chief Ejike Chidolue.

“The defendants in the suit were Aboji village Oba, which comprises of four quarters namely (1) Umuokokpa (2) Umumpama (3) Awii (4) Umuezeani. The entire public particularly, the entire Aboji community are irrevocably, forever bound by the Judgment of the Supreme Court, the Highest Court of our Land.

“Accordingly, government, state and local, and Bukham Group Ltd. are please advised to discountenance any publication or notice to the contrary particularly the following public notices (1) Public notice by Obianyo and Co. at page 42 of Daily Sun dated 12th July 2016. (2) Public notice by Chidi Nobis-Elendu & Co at page II of Daily Sun dated 12th July, 2016.”

•Photo shows Anambra Governor Willie Obiano.