Lawyers under the Opi Lawyers Forum (OLF) have protested alleged encroachment on the Opi Customary Court land in Nsukka. The group accused Nsukka Local Government Chairman, Chief Jude Asogwa, of converting part of the land to build market shops.
During a peaceful protest at the court premises over the weekend, the lawyers said the construction disturbs the sanctity of the judicial environment. They warned that allowing a market to operate on court land would erode the dignity of the court.
Chairman of the forum, Casmir Agbo, led members around the disputed land where construction foundations had already been dug. He stated that the forum would resist the alleged land grab using all legal means available to them.
Agbo explained that they had already petitioned the Chief Judge of Enugu State, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, and the National Judicial Council. He stressed that the land belongs to the judiciary and not to the local government council.
He said, “This encroachment on court land in Nsukka is unacceptable, and we are committed to stopping it legally. A court and a market cannot share the same premises.”
The OLF leader said the group had engaged with the council chairman. The Chairman allegedly agreed to stop construction only in front of the court. However, the forum demanded a complete halt to the entire market project within the court premises.
Agbo warned that if all appeals fail, the group would approach the court to seek redress over the land dispute in Nsukka.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Asogwa said the market project was part of efforts to develop Opi. The move also aimed to align with Governor Peter Mbah’s development goals. He maintained that lawyers only requested he avoid certain areas within the court land, not the entire location.
