An Enugu State High Court presided over by E.M. Egumgbe, has granted appellant in Akama-Oghe chieftaincy tussle, leave to serve the respondent, High Chief Christian Akpata, through substituted means. Also, a Magistrate Court sitting in Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government, has granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Akpata and three others, their agents, servants, privies, cohorts, assigns “and howsoever described,” from harassing, threatening, bullying, arresting, intimidating and molesting the people of Akama-Oghe pending the determination of of the substantive suit.
The two court orders, this newspaper gathered, was a result of alleged threat to peace in the community following the over 10-year old tussle over the traditional rulership stool. Justice Egumgbe who, on October 6, 2026, gave the appellants, Comrade Celestine Ukwuani, Mr. Andi Chidi Samuel and Chief Onyeka Ofodile, leave to serve Chief Akpata the Notice of Appeal, Stay of Execution, record of Appeal through substituted means, said he could be served by pasting same on the door post or at a conspicuous place/wall/gate of the respondent’s family house at Umuonwuwa, Umuifi, Enugu-na-Agbani, Akama-Oghe, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The case was later adjourned to October 27 for further hearing. The restraining order by Chief Magistrate V.N Uzoma on October 7 in suit No. MAE/10/2026, was brought before the court by interim regent of Akama-Oghe community, Chief Edwin Umeh, member representing Enugu State in the House of Assembly, Hon. Chima Obieze, and eight others, against Chief Akpata and three others. The plaintiffs had in their Motion on Notice dated September 21, 2026, prayed the court to restrain the defendants from harassing, threatening, bullying, arresting, intimidating and molesting the people of the community pending the determination of of the substantive suit.
They also requested the court for an order of interim injunction binding the defendants over to keep peace in the community, be of good behaviour and maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the determination of the case. The court granted all the prayers sought by the plaintiffs and adjourned the case to October 21.
