Victory for Chukwujekwu Family: Anambra Court Unseals Home, Bars Awka South Chairman, 12 Others
Applicant Mr. Chukwujekwu Sylvester (L) and defendant Mayor of Awka South Prince Chinedu Okafor (R)
By Titus Eleweke
The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka has ordered the immediate unsealing of the residence of a member of the Chukwujekwu family and directed that the keys to the property be handed over to him without further delay.
The court also restrained the Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Chinedu Okafor, and 12 other respondents, including their associates and anyone acting on their behalf, from taking further action against the applicants pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
The members of Chukwujekwu family who house were locked by the order of Mayor of Awka South Hon Chinedu Okafor
Justice Ike Ogu of High Court 1, Awka, issued the orders on Monday, November 2, 2026, following an application by the applicants’ counsel, Prof. M.M. Umeweke.
The application, marked A/1743/2026M and dated October 12, 2026, sought interim orders restraining the respondents from arresting the applicants and directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Moving the application, Umeweke described the injunctions sought as innocuous and necessary to protect the applicants from further alleged violations of their fundamental rights.
He informed the court that two of the applicants were minors and urged it to intervene to prevent further actions against the family.
The counsel further told the court that the first applicant had allegedly been locked out of his premises by the first respondent and persons acting on his behalf.
He consequently sought an order directing the immediate unsealing of the property and restoration of access to the first applicant.
The application was supported by a 34-paragraph affidavit and a written address, which counsel relied upon in urging the court to grant the reliefs sought.
In his ruling, Justice Ogu granted the applicants’ requests, restraining the respondents, their associates and anyone acting on their behalf from taking further action against the applicants pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
The judge also ordered that the first applicant’s house be unsealed and that the keys be handed over to him without further delay.
The court further granted an order for substituted service of court processes on the respondents.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to December 7, 2026, for hearing.
The suit was instituted by four members of the Chukwujekwu family: Mr. Chukwujekwu Sylvester Anaekwe; Kamisi Chukwujekwu, 15; Awele Chukwujekwu, eight; and Zikora Chukwujekwu, six.
The respondents include the Awka South Local Government Chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor; Chukwunenye Maduka, also known as Okadigbo; Kingsley Ugochukwu Okonwa; Ekene Nwankwo, also known as Okenwa; and Mr. Ken Emeakaghi, Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Security.
Other respondents are the Anambra State Agunechemba; Anambra State Security Supervisory Committee, Awka; Awka South Local Government Security Supervisory Committee; ASP George Onunze; the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State; the Nigeria Police Service Commission; the Nigeria Police Force; and Anayo Nkemdilim.
The applicants instituted the action under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, seeking the enforcement of their rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, private and family life, freedom of movement and property.
