Renowned philanthropist and US-based medical doctor, Prof. Godwin Maduka has expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to unanimously dismiss a suit opposing the change of an Anambra community name from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu for lacking in merit.
Prof. Maduka, who was among those that fought for the name change, a battle that lingered to Supreme Court said justice was at last served to a people who willingly adopted a new name for themselves.
During the hearing on January 13, 2025 the Supreme Court frowned that the appellants, one Barr. Basil Igwike and others did not seek permission of the appeal court which had ruled on the matter before bringing it before the Supreme Court as required by the law.
The 5-man panel of Supreme Court Justices headed by Justice John Inyang Okoro further held that it will not be right to overrule current decisions of both high and appeal courts on the matter.
Counsel to the appellants, Julius Mba therefore withdrew the case, while a cost of N500,000 each was awarded in favour of the three respondents — Mr. Dubem Obaze, Prof. Godwin Maduka and one other.
With this the judgment of the lower courts stands as the name of Nkerehi remains changed to Umuchukwu.
The case dates back to 2008, when some elders of the community, for some reasons, became uncomfortable with the name of their town. They felt that their name, Nkerehi, was responsible for their misfortunes and underdevelopment as a people and therefore needed to change it.
A referendum was conducted between Nkerehi and Umuchukwu by Anambra State government through the Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters (office) and Umuchukwu won 99.9 per cent with only about 10 people standing for Nkerehi.
The name Umuchukwu was gazetted after the referendum and a certificate of gazette was given to them by the Anambra State Government.
This however did not go down well with the appellants who later approached the court.
Sources said that at the Magistrate Court, the name Umuchukwu won. The matter was referred to the State High Court, where Umuchukwu also won before heading to Appeal Court where Umuchukwu won again.
The dismissal by the Supreme Court therefore lays to rest the case that has lingered for over a decade on which name the community should bear.
Our correspondent gathered that the name change has ushered several good things into the community as strange occurrences have ceased to happen.
Umuchukwu is now witnessing a massive development, with their sons and daughters all over the world progressing in their various endeavours and bringing wealth home.
In the community locates one of the tallest medical institutions, Transatlantic University of Medical and health Sciences structure, which was constructed by Prof. Maduka.
He has also embarked on several life-changing projects in the community in the area of youth empowerment, construction of markets, hospitals, decent housing scheme for widows, road infrastructure as well as worship centres to bring the people closer to God.
He told newsmen that the Supreme Court victory is a collective win for the entire people of Umuchukwu, which prepares them for new narrative for their community.
Prominent sons and daughters of Umuchukwu were also present during the historic decision of the Supreme Court.
Among them are, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Kenneth Maduka and the President General, Adinchezor Chukwuemeka.
In his reaction after the court decision, Igwe Maduka expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying the community will now settle down to re-organise themselves with the identity they have chosen for themselves.
The President General Chukwuemeka also thanked the judiciary for its steadfastness in making the long overdue name change a reality.
They also thanked Prof. Godwin Maduka for championing the legal battle that has lingered over a decade from the lower courts to the highest court in the land.
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