Anambra court orders reopening of Chukwujekwu’s house, restrains Awka South chairman, 12 others
By Sunny A. David, Awka
An Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has ordered the immediate unsealing of a property belonging to a member of the Chukwujekwu family and directed that the keys be returned to him without delay.
The court also restrained the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, and 12 other respondents, including their associates and agents, from taking further action against the applicants pending the determination of the substantive suit
Justice Ike Ogu of High Court 1, Awka, issued the orders on Monday, November 2, 2026, while ruling on an interlocutory application filed by counsel to the applicants, Prof. M.M. Umeweke.
The application, dated October 12, 2026, sought to prevent the respondents from arresting or further infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicants. It also urged the court to direct all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
Moving the application, Umeweke described the reliefs sought as necessary measures to protect the applicants from further violations of their rights. He particularly drew the court’s attention to the fact that two of the applicants were minors.
The lawyer further alleged that the first applicant had been locked out of his property by the first respondent and individuals acting on his behalf.
He consequently asked the court to order the immediate unsealing of the premises and restoration of access to the first applicant.
The application was supported by a 34-paragraph affidavit and a written address, which the counsel relied upon in urging the court to grant the reliefs.
In his ruling, Justice Ogu granted the application, restraining the respondents, their associates and anyone acting on their behalf from taking further action against the applicants until the hearing and determination of the suit.
The judge also ordered that the sealed property be reopened and its keys handed over to the first applicant without further delay. The court equally granted an order for substituted service of court processes on the respondents.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 7, 2026, for hearing.
The suit was instituted by four members of the Chukwujekwu family: Mr. Chukwujekwu Sylvester Anaekwe, Kamisi Chukwujekwu, 15; Awele Chukwujekwu, eight; and Zikora Chukwujekwu, six.
The respondents include the Awka South Local Government Chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor; Chukwunenye Maduka, popularly known as Okadigbo; Kingsley Ugochukwu Okonwa; Ekene Nwankwo, also known as Okenwa; and Mr. Ken Emeakaghi, Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Security.
Others are the Anambra State Agunechemba, Anambra State Security Supervisory Committee, Awka; Awka South Local Government Security Supervisory Committee; ASP George Onunze; the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State; the Nigeria Police Service Commission; the Nigeria Police Force; and Anayo Nkemdilim.
The applicants instituted the action under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, seeking the enforcement of their rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, private and family life, freedom of movement and ownership of property.
The court’s latest orders will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
