The Supreme Court has brought to an end a 50-year legal battle over disputed land between the Onuogba Nike community in Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State and the Ezza Nkomoro migrant community from Ebonyi State, affirming the ownership claims of the Onuogba Nike
In a judgment delivered on July 3, 2026, a panel of the apex court led by Justice Abba Aji, upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, effectively dismissing the Ezza Nkomoro community’s appeal and ending one of the longest-running land disputes in Enugu State.
Reacting to the verdict, former President-General of the Onuogba Nike community, Chief Emmanuel Ubosi, described the judgment as a landmark victory for justice, saying it vindicated the position consistently maintained by his community throughout the decades-long litigation.
“The judgment is a triumph of justice. It has vindicated the position we consistently maintained throughout the legal proceedings,” Ubosi said.
He urged members of the Ezza Nkomoro community to accept the Supreme Court’s verdict in the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence.
Ubosi alleged that the ancestors of the Onuogba Nike community had originally permitted the Ezza Nkomoro settlers to occupy a portion of their land under an agreed arrangement, but claimed the understanding was breached in 1974, when the settlers allegedly extended into areas that were never allocated to them.
According to him, the alleged encroachment prompted the Onuogba Nike community to institute legal action that same year, beginning a court battle that would span five decades.
Ubosi said the case remained before the High Court until March, 2004, when then Chief Judge, Justice Umezulike, delivered judgment directing the Ezza Nkomoro community to vacate the areas they had allegedly encroached upon.
He, however, said the Ezza Nkomoro community rejected the decision and proceeded to the Court of Appeal.
According to Ubosi, the appellate proceedings lasted until June 24, 2016, when the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgment.
Unsatisfied with the outcome, he said, the Ezza Nkomoro community further appealed to the Supreme Court, culminating in the July 3, 2026 judgment which finally resolved the dispute.
Ubosi further maintained that communities such as Ogbanu and Ndume were never part of the land originally made available to the Ezza settlers, insisting that the conflict arose solely from what he described as expansion beyond the agreed boundaries.
He warned that the Onuogba Nike community would pursue all lawful means to reclaim any part of its land if the terms of the Supreme Court judgment were not respected.
The dispute, which has lingered for about five decades, reportedly resurfaced at different times after portions of the contested land were sold by members of the host community, triggering fresh disagreements and prolonged litigation between both communities.
The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to provide legal certainty over the ownership of the disputed land and pave the way for lasting peace between the neighbouring communities.
