Peace has finally returned to Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra state, following the dumping of an Ogbaru high court judgment by both the plaintiff, Ezele Mbana quarter of Ezele Village and defendant, Umuezegbute quarter of Isu village, all in Oba town
The warring communities also signed a memorandum of understanding to tow the part of peace.
The defendant, (Umuezegbute), had on 28th day of February 2020, got judgment in its favour in suit No. HID/92/1999, when it was sued by the plentiff, (Ezele Mbana) over land issue.
The Umuezegbute, had on 3rd August 2020, executed the court judgment by entering the land with armed policemen and bulldozers, and reportedly destroyed residential buildings,
vehicles, motorbikes and other possessions worth millions of naira of the defeated plentiff
(Ezele Mbana), with scores sustaining various degrees of injury.
Meanwhile, the Ezele Mbana people who claimed existence in the controversial land for over 400 years, sent a save our soul message to the executive of the Oba Patriotic Union, OPU, regent of the community, Prince Noel Ezenwa and stakeholders who quickly set up an eight-member Peace committee led by the regent as chairman.
Others included Nze Ifeanyichukwu Onwupenata is an alternative Chairman. Mr. E.A. Adogu-secretary, Chief Orlando Ibeakuzie-legal adviser,Bennet Chibueze (member), Mr Amaechi Aghaonu (member), Mr Ogonna Okafor (member) and Mr Charles Agha (member).
The committee charged with the responsibility of enthroning a permanent peace, came up with resolutions/rulings endorsed by both warring villages including the setting aside of court judgment in favour of Umuezegbute while the execution of the order be discontinued forthwith as the agreement both endorsed hereby shall subsist.
That the Ezele Mbana remained the owner of the controversial land in perpetuity on the perfection of this agreement and a sum of 10million paid to Umuezegbute as total and final settlement for Iru-ani in perpetuity.
That all present occupants and in possession of the land other than the occupiers of the homestead of Ezele Mbana portion shall pay to Umuezegbute the sum of N1.5million per occupant in possession, per plot and same paid into Umuezegbute’s account.
It was commendation galore to the committee at the venue, palace of
Igwe Peter Ezenwa (Ezekpoko) who has joined his ancestors.
The regent had while thanking the warring billages for allowing peace to reign stressed the need for all to be their brothers keepers.
He thanked God for giving them the strenght and wisdom for which they were able to achieve the peace adding that it was an uphill task especially on the part of opposition to peace restoration.
Contributing, the alternative chairman, Nze Ifeanyichukwu Onwupenata (a.k.a. Obiaomee) stated that, it is by the special grace of God that we were able to achieve this peace as the task was much but God being on our side we were able to achieve peace”
“I am a peacemaker and always talk and stay on the side of truth. We know that Umuezegbute had judgment but forever lasting peace to reign they had to dump that judgment and Ezele Mbana also did as expected”
on the challenges that confronted the committee on the course of achieving the peace he said that, “so many peiople did not want the committee to succeed but peace is better than war”
A member of the committee, Chief Benneth Chibueze paid glowing tribute to the regent for ensuring that peace was achieved and prayed God to reward him abundantly hinting that he is a reprica of his father, Igwe Ezenwa. When it comes to achieving peace.
Among those that expressed satisfaction with the way the committee hanfled the issue included, the President General of Oba Patriotic Union, Chief Clifford Maduwa Enendu, who recalled that when the execution commenced, “we cried and called on the regent who responded and restored peace with Nze Ifeanyichukwu Onwupenata (a.k.a. Obiaomee) and others too numerous to mention and through their efforts peace has been restord”.
Others were, Rev. Christian Okoye from Ezele Mbana who recalled that he ran away for his dear life when the execution was going on.
Chief Emma Nwanegbo, Boniface Maduwa, Mr. Uzor Ifediora (a.k.a. Kingkaima) and Obi Augustine.
