Renowned philanthropist and US-based medical doctor Prof. Godwin Maduka has expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court of Nigeria‘s decision to unanimously dismiss a suit opposing the change of an Anambra community name from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu because it lacked merit.
Prof. Maduka, who fought for the name change, a battle that lingered to the Supreme Court, said justice was served to a people who willingly adopted a new name for themselves.
During the January 13, 2025 hearing, the Supreme Court frowned at the appellants, one Barr. Basil Igwike and others did not seek permission from the appeal court, which had ruled on the matter before bringing it before the Supreme Court as required by the law.
The five-man panel of Supreme Court Justices, headed by Justice John Inyang Okoro, further held that it would not be right to overrule current decisions of both the high and appeal courts on the matter.
Therefore, counsel to the appellants, Julius Mba, withdrew the case, while a cost of N500,000 each was awarded in favour of the three respondents—Mr. Dubem Obaze, Prof. Godwin Maduka, and one other.
This means that the judgment of the lower courts remains in the name of Nkerehi, which remains unchanged and has been changed to Umuchukwu.
The case dates back to 2008, when some community elders became uncomfortable with their town‘s name. They felt that their name, Nkerehi, was responsible for their misfortunes and underdevelopment as a people and, therefore, needed to be changed.
Anambra State government, through the Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters (office), conducted a referendum between Nkerehi and Umuchukwu. Umuchukwu won 99.9 per cent, with only about 10 people standing for Nkerehi.
The name Umuchukwu was gazetted after the referendum, and the Anambra State Government gave them a certificate of gazette.
This, however, did not go down well with the appellants, who later approached the court.
Sources said that Umuchukwu won at the Magistrate Court. The matter was referred to the State High Court, where Umuchukwu also won, before heading to the Appeal Court, where Umuchukwu won again.
Therefore, the Supreme Court‘s dismissal ends the case that has lingered over a decade over which name the community should bear.
Our correspondent gathered that the name change has ushered several good things into the community as strange occurrences have ceased.
Umuchukwu is now witnessing a massive development, with their sons and daughters worldwide progressing in their various endeavours and bringing wealth home.
The community also contains one of the tallest medical institutions, the Transatlantic University of Medical and Health Sciences structure, which Prof Maduka constructed.
He has also embarked on several life-changing projects in the community in the area of youth empowerment, construction of markets, hospitals, decent housing schemes for widows, road infrastructure, and worship centres to bring the people closer to God.
He told newsmen that the Supreme Court victory is a collective win for the entire Umuchukwu, preparing them for a new narrative for their community.
Prominent sons and daughters of Umuchukwu were also present during the Supreme Court‘s historic decision.
Among them are the community‘s traditional ruler, Igwe Kenneth Maduka and the President General, Adinchezor Chukwuemeka.
In his reaction to the court decision, Igwe Maduka expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying the community will now settle down to reorganise itself with its chosen identity.
President General Chukwuemeka thanked the judiciary for making the long-overdue name change a reality.
They also thanked Prof. Godwin Maduka for championing the legal battle from the lower courts to the highest court in the land over a decade.
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