Imo Court Ends 27-Year New Owerri Land Dispute, Awards ₦35m Against State Government

An Imo State High Court has brought a 27-year legal battle over prime land in New Owerri to an end, ruling in favour of the claimants and awarding them ₦35 million in damages and legal costs.

Justice K.A. Ojiako declared the claimants entitled to the statutory right of occupancy over Housing Area K and Restoration Layout in New Owerri, bringing a major development to the long-running dispute over ownership and control of the property.

The court also nullified purported government allocations, grants, leases and acquisitions covering the disputed land. It further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from entering the property or carrying out surveying, mapping or plot-related activities on the land.

As part of the judgment, the court awarded ₦30 million to the claimants as damages for trespass. Another ₦5 million was awarded as costs of the legal action, bringing the total financial award to ₦35 million.

The dispute dates back to 1999, when the affected communities commenced legal proceedings over control of the New Owerri property. The case subsequently remained before the courts for more than two decades.

The ruling could have significant implications for land administration in one of the key development areas of Owerri, particularly given the court’s decision to invalidate the government-related transactions affecting the disputed property.

However, the Imo State Government has indicated that it is not yet in a position to respond substantively to the judgment. The government said it had not received certified copies of the court’s decision and would study the documents before determining its next step.

The development leaves the state government facing a choice between complying with the judgment and potentially challenging the decision through the appropriate legal process. For the claimants, meanwhile, the ruling marks the latest chapter in a land dispute that has lasted 27 years.