By Nwokoma Ndubueze
The Orogwe Customary Court in Owerri jurisdiction of Imo State, has adjourned to November 12, December 10 and 17, for continuation of cross examination in the matter bothering on change of name– Durunneji na Nwerem versus Nweremekakam na Durunneji, Nchoko village of Amiri community in Oru East Local Government Area, Imo State.
The court listened to cross examination led by the second to twelfth defenders Counsel, Barrister C. C. Amuzie, on the Plaintiff first witness, Pw1, Barrister Ambrose Ndukaku led by his Counsel, Barrister H. N. Nwafor, on the judicial process to determine the dispute over claims of the kindred’s names; Durunneji na Nwerem versus Nweremekakam na Durunneji in Nchoko village of Amiri community in Oru East LGA , Imo State.
The matter which came up on November 5, 2025, for the parties to cross examine the Pw1 Barrister Ambrose Ndukaku, was mentioned before the honourable court ‘s Chairman, His Lordship C. Onyeziri with two members of the court; Mr. T. N. Onuh and Mr. Theo. Ofonye who listened to the cross examination led by Barrister C.C. Amuzie.
According to the cross examination led by Barrister Amuzie,
“Do you know the defenders in this case?.”
Pw1 (Ndukaku) responded Yes
Question: ” Is the defenders from Durunneji na Nwerem kindred with you?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded Yes
Question: “prior to the change of the kindred’s name, Durunneji na Nwerem to Nweremekakam, your kindred is known as Durunneji na Nwerem?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded Yes
Question: “The name Durunneji na Nwerem is the same name your kindred is known in Nchoko community in Amiri, Oru East?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded “Yes, but prior to the change of name that was what we are known to be our name.”
Question: “In your community, Nchoko, if any kindred wants to change its name, it’s done unanimously by the entire kindred and approved by Nchoko in general?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded, that it is not true.
Question: “Are you telling this court that if any kindred wants to change its name, it’s not done unanimously?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded, “No kindred in Nchoko, even the Town Union PG has no right, or the family has the right to dictate or determine the name which any particular family will answer, but when the family wants to change its name, we applied for it.”
Question; “Now you have not applied for this change of name, or the creation of Nweremekakam kindred in Nchoko?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded, “Yes, we did not apply for the creation of Nweremekakam kindred but what we applied for is from Durunneji na Nwerem to Nweremekakam kindred and informed the Town Union.”
Question; “Can you tell the court when you did apply for the change of kindred’s name?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded that “we applied to our brothers, Durunneji family whom we share the kindred with, that we want to change from Nwerem to Nweremekakam in a meeting held on March 12, 2023.”
Question; “What was the method of application, was it oral or written application?”
Pw1 Ndukaku responded, “Yes. It was oral application, but in a meeting held on March 12, 2023, and approval was given and the message was passed to the other kindreds in Nchoko including the Town Union PG.”
There were many other questions not mentioned here because of space.
The court Adjourned to November12, December 10 and 17, 2025,
for continuation of cross examination of Pw1.
