The traditional ruler of Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRM Igwe Dr. Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu (Eze Udo II), has distanced himself from the lingering land dispute between Enugwu and Umuenu quarters of the community, insisting that attempts to portray him as the architect of the crisis are false and malicious.
Addressing journalists in a press briefing on Friday at his palace, the monarch said the controversy had compelled him to publicly respond to recent protests and personal attacks directed at him and the traditional institution by some members of Enugwu Quarter.
He maintained that the land ownership dispute is already before a court of competent jurisdiction in Awka and urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its full course instead of resorting to protests and campaign of calumnies.
The royal father dismissed what he described as “sponsored writings and demonstrations” against him, alleging that they were orchestrated by a few individuals determined to tarnish his reputation and that of the Umuawulu traditional institution.
Providing a historical account of the dispute, Igwe Egwuonwu said there was no land disagreement between Enugwu and Umuenu before 2019, explaining that the original litigation was between Umuenu Quarter and Awgbu community, a legal battle which, according to him, ended in favour of Umuenu at the Supreme Court in 1973.
He further said that some people of Enugwu Quarter had, during the earlier litigation, testified in support of Awgbu’s claim to the land and never claimed ownership on behalf of Enugwu, describing the current claim by Enugwu as inconsistent with their earlier position.
The monarch disclosed that in 2020, following reports of rising tension, he constituted a five-member palace committee headed 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.
According to him, Enugwu Quarter rejected the committee’s findings and subsequently instituted a suit before the High Court in Awka, a step he said was within their constitutional rights.
He also referred to allegations that some youths from Enugwu Quarter attacked Umuenu farmers while the matter was pending in court, leading to police intervention and criminal prosecution of the suspects.
The monarch said the Umuawulu Progress Union later established a four-member mediation panel, chaired by Barr. Azubike Anazor, to restore peace.
He stated that after hearing both sides, inspecting the disputed land and engaging a licensed surveyor, the panel submitted a report in August 2025 affirming Umuenu Quarter’s ownership of the land and advising Enugwu Quarter to desist from further acts of trespass.
Igwe Egwuonwu expressed disappointment that despite the pending court case, some individuals had continued to organise protests against him instead of allowing the legal process to determine ownership of the land.
He rejected claims that he had compromised his office because he hails from Umuenu Quarter, insisting that he had remained impartial throughout the dispute.
“My only offence here is that I come from Umuenu, one of the disputing quarters. I have maintained the neutrality expected of a father whose children are involved in a family disagreement,” he said.
The traditional ruler appealed to residents of Umuawulu to shun actions capable of undermining peace and unity in the community, expressing hope that the ongoing legal process would ultimately bring a lasting resolution to the dispute.
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