Tension has heightened in the Ngene-Okwuazu area of Umueri community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State following a land dispute between two prominent indigenes, with both parties petitioning the police.
The dispute is between Chief Okwuji Ndive and Chief Sam Emeka, brother to the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Bennett Emeka. Efforts by the Umueri Council of Elders to resolve the lingering crisis have reportedly failed, forcing the parties to seek police intervention.
In his petition to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otuocha Police Station, Ndive accused Emeka of intimidation, destruction of property and attempts to forcibly take over his land. He alleged that Emeka destroyed materials he had kept on the disputed property for an ongoing building project, despite resolutions by the Council of Elders advising Emeka to stay action.
Ndive further stated that he was the first settler in Ngene-Okwuazu and had built and moved into his residence there in 1985, adding that the waterfront in the area was named “Okwuji’s Beach” in recognition of his pioneering presence. He alleged that on November 9, 2025, Emeka, alongside others, brought a caterpillar to disperse sand dumped on the land in an attempt to gain access to his fence.
He also accused Emeka of conspiring with officials of the Physical Planning Unit to mark his fence for demolition, leading to theft of some of his building materials. Ndive urged the police to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served, noting that he had already spent about N200,000, with assistance from the traditional ruler, to repair part of his damaged fence.
However, Emeka has denied all allegations, insisting that Ndive’s actions were responsible for the rising tension in the community. He maintained that the disputed land included an access road meant for residents and movement to the riverfront.
He explained that during his tenure as vice-chairman and later chairman of his age grade, disagreements arose over leadership and access road issues, leading to the demolition of his gate and shops, as well as imposition of fines on him.
According to him, a panel set up by the traditional ruler later ruled that the road must remain accessible, while advising him to forgo claims over his demolished property.
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Emeka said relevant land and survey authorities had identified structures obstructing the access road and that he contributed N500,000 toward making the road motorable. He denied pulling down Ndive’s fence, stating that a section only collapsed during construction work and that he had agreed to assist in its repair. He added that Ndive opposed his plan to build on the land despite his status as a bonafide indigene of Umueri.
Police authorities at Otuocha were yet to officially comment on the matter as at the time of filing this report.
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