A middle-aged man, Mr. Emmanuel Chidi Osakwe, has instituted a legal action against the Registered Trustees of the Catholic Diocese of Awka over the ownership of a property located on Seaman Avenue, along Secretariat Road, Awka.
The suit, currently before the Anambra State High Court presided over by Justice Ike Ogu, stems from Mr. Osakwe’s claim that the property was gifted to him during his lifetime by his late uncle, Monsignor Martin Ezeokoli. The dispute reportedly arose following his eviction from the premises.
When the matter came up for the first time on record on Tuesday, there was no appearance for the defendant. The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the documentation relating to the service of the originating summons on the defendant.
Consequently, Justice Ogu adjourned the case to October 27 and directed the court bailiff to file all necessary documents concerning the service of court processes.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the claimant, Barrister Martin Obi, stated that the Catholic Diocese had been served with the suit since October 2025 when the action was commenced and had also received hearing notices for the day’s proceedings. He noted that despite this, the defendant neither appeared in court nor filed any defence.
The lawyer expressed optimism that the procedural issues identified by the court would be addressed before the next hearing date, enabling the matter to proceed with all parties properly before the court.
The case is expected to determine the rightful ownership of the disputed property and whether the claimant’s assertion that the property was validly gifted to him by the late cleric can be sustained under the law.
