In order to forestall a breakdown of law and order, an Enugu State High Court has ordered all parties to keep off a disputed land involving Caritas University and Nkwubor Nike Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

 

The court order will subsist pending the determination of the motion on notice.

 

The order, granted by Justice C. O. Ajar, followed an ex parte application filed by counsel to the plaintiffs, C. C. Eze, on December 19, 2025.

 

In the suit marked E/LL77M/2025, Pilgrim Sisters Nigeria Ltd and Caritas University are plaintiffs/applicants, while the defendants/respondents include Mr. John Chudi Aneke, identified as a former President General, Jideofor Anike, described as caretaker chairman of the community, alongside Messrs Issac Agbowo, Okoh Linus and Okoh Josephat, for themselves and representing the members of Nkwubor Nike Community, Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

 

The court, in its ruling, restrained both parties from taking any action on the disputed land measuring approximately 84.25 hectares, located at Ugwu Edfogili, Akama, Amore Nike.

 

Justice Ajar ruled: “That both the Defendants/Respondents and the Plaintiffs/Applicants either by themselves, servants, privies, agents, cronies, assigns or any other person claiming through or under them howsoever named… are hereby restrained from entering or further entering or carrying out any activity of any kind on the parcel of land, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”

 

The court further directed that the order be served on the defendants through substituted means, including by pasting at the entrance of Nkwubor Village Hall in Nike community.

 

In their affidavit supporting the motion, the plaintiffs made far-reaching allegations against the defendants, including large-scale destruction of property, threats to life, and continued trespass despite pending legal proceedings.

 

The plaintiffs are before the court claiming against the defendants as follows;

 

“A DECLARATION that the plaintiffs are the legitimate bonafide and lawful owners of ALL THAT parcel of land contained and forming part of a large expanse of land measuring approximately 84.25 hectares known as, called and situates at Ugba Edeogidi, Akama, Amorji Nike Community Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

 

“A DECLARATION that the plaintiffs are entitled to the deeming Statutory Rights of Occupancy in respect of ALL THAT parcel of land contained and forming part of a large expanse of land measuring approximately 84.25 hectares known as, called and situates at Ugba Edeogidi, Akama, Amorji Nike Community Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

 

“AN ORDER to set aside any sale, alienation, transfer of interest of any kind to a 3 party or any other person howsoever described by the defendants themselves, servants, privies, assigns, attorneys or any other person howsoever called acting on the defendants behalf and; or purporting to act on the interest and on behalf of Nkwubor Village in respect of the plaintiffs parcel of land contained and forming part of a large expanse of land measuring approximately 84.25 hectares known as, called and situates at Ugba Edeogili Akama, Amorji Nike Community, Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

 

“AN ORDER of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves, their agents or on any alleged authority, power of attorney etc purporting to be donated, given or assign by the defendants themselves or their Nkwubor Village in respect of the plaintiffs’ parcel of land contained and forming part of a large expanse of land measuring approximately 84.25 hectares known as, called and situates at Ugba Edeogili, Akama, Amorji Nike Community, Enugu, Enugu State.”

 

Meanwhile, counsel to the plaintiffs said contempt proceedings have been initiated against the defendants, who he accused of disobeying a valid court order.

 

He said despite the court order, members of the community were busy parceling and selling the disputed land which is subject of litigation.

 

“Form 48 and 49 have been served on members of the Nkwubor community because their presence on that land is in disobedience of court order which says nobody should enter the land; everybody should stay clear to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

 

“So, their presence in the land is a disobedience of the court order, which they need to obey,” the plaintiffs’ lawyer stated.