Onitsha Sports Club's N3b land dispute adjourned again

---

---

By Madu Obi

The N3 billion lawsuit filed by the Incorporated trustees of Onitsha Sports Club against the Ekwerekwu family of Onitsha, has been adjourned to July 5th.

The Onitsha High Court presided over by Justice Sylvester Odili, is awaiting a decision from the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, regarding the defendant's application to transfer the case.

The Ekwerekwu family had alleged bias on the part of Justice Odili, citing a recent interlocutory injunction that prevented the family from accessing the Onitsha Sports Club premises.

This is the second time the family sought a transfer of the case to another judge as a previous request to the Administrative Judge of Onitsha Judicial Division was also denied.

While the plaintiffs' counsel argued that the transfer request is a delay tactic, Justice Odili adjourned the case, pending the Chief Judge's ruling.

The case centered on the Ekwerekwu family's claim to the land occupied by the Sports Club, based on the expiration of a 99-year lease granted during the colonial era.

The Sports Club, however, refused to relinquish any land. A recent peace meeting between the parties had failed to reach a resolution.