An Owerri High Court presided over by Justice Nosiri, has adjourned to May 4 and May 18, 2026 respectively, the suit filed by some indigenes of Owere Nshi Ise in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State, challenging the action of former Imo governor, Chief Rochas Anayo Okorocha, in balkanising their community into five different autonomous communities which destroyed the Ozuruigbo stool.
Recall that the matter said to have been instituted in 2016 has lingered in court for 10 years.
At Wednesday’s sitting, one of the counsels to the defendants (5th-7th defendants), Barr Njoku drew the attention of the court to the fact that three plaintiffs including the 1st Plaintiff and 3rd Plaintiff have both died.
He also drew attention of the court to the fact that the 7th and 8th defendants have also died, raising the possibility that the parties to the suit may no longer be interested in the matter, and may have moved on with their lives. ,
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr Ken Njemanze told the court that the plaintiffs were representing their communities, adding that those who have died could be replaced by their communities.
The presiding judge after listening to counsels to the parties in the suit, adjourned the matter to May 4, and May 18 respectively, for the parties to exploit the possibilty of settlement and report back to the court.
Meanwhile, there are growing indications that many Owere Nshi Ise indigenes are anxiously awaiting the outcome of this particular suit, especially, those who feel that the action of then Imo governor, Chief Okorocha, negatively affected the unity, customs and image of the community.
