The Rev Fr. Jude Onybadi, a farmer and Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku has asserted that the land being situate and located behind Ochei Poultry Farm, Ogbeofu Quarters, Issele-Uku, is still a subject of litigation.
He informed all those farming on the disputed land, which was acquired from the Monye Nwusi Family of Issele-Uku through several deeds of transfer of the land duly executed from the family (represented by Anthony Ogonna Okeleke Ashiedu and Emeka Ashiedu) to the priest in 2006, 2007 and 2010, respectively, is still a subject of litigation in suit number HCI/22/2022.
The Rev Fr. Onyebadi noted that the lawyer, Chief Meribe Nnamdi of M.M Nnamdi and Co. based in Issele-Uku, who prepared the deed on behalf of the family and him, the purchaser, in the years under reference, was working against the spirit of the deeps, which he prepared.
According to him, the same Chief Nnamdi, recently, acted as a solicitor to Monye Nwusi family as the lands develop legal crisis.
Specifically, he said that on October 28, 2024, Chief Nnamdi wrote a letter on behalf of Monye Nwusi family to one Etuziem Yadili, who reportedly drove round Issele-Uku, using a megaphone to announce that the land being situate and located behind Ochei Poultry Farm, Ogbeofu Quarters, Issele-Uku, was a subject of litigation and anybody farming there to vacate in line with a High Court decision.
However, he said that his lawyer, Prof. O. F. Emiri has replied him informing him that he cannot represent a purchaser at the point of purchase and later went behind to write a letter on behalf of the sellers as the land he facilitated develop legal crisis.
“Our objective reading of the rule of professional conduct for lawyers tells that it is improper and smack of misconduct for a legal practitioner to approbate and reprobate at the same time, as you now seek to do – conferring as agent of Monye Nwusi Family, title to our client and in your correspondence of October 28, 2024, seek to deny the conferred title.
“As a member of the legal profession you should commend our clients rather than seek to use “mischief –at-law” to breed contempt, and a conduct likely to implicate professional misconduct against you.
“We seek from you, a retraction in writing of the letter and further request that you assure our clients title without reservation.
“Kindly send the retraction and assurance to the undersigned within 14 days failing which we may seek disciplinary bar action against you”, Prof Emiri, SAN, stated.
