The people of Edeaniagu, Ishi-Ozalla community in Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State erupted in jubilation following a Federal High Court judgment that ended their ostracisation and excommunication from the community.
The court, on May 21, 2025, restrained former Minister for Information, Chief Frank Nweke Jr. and two other community members from referring to the people of Edeaniagu as non-indigenes, outcasts, and descendants of slaves in Ishi-Ozalla Community.
In addition to ending the discriminatory practice, the court ordered the respondents to pay five million naira as general damages for excommunicating and ostracising Mr. Christian Uzochukwu and his Edeaniagu village. The judgment also mandated a public apology to be published in a national daily newspaper.
Community Reactions to the Landmark Judgment
When news of the judgment reached Edeaniagu village, residents were seen singing victory songs, celebrating what many described as the end of an era of discrimination.
Prof. Muna Nweke Okoye, an indigene of the village who has been vocal against social discrimination in Nkanu Land, described the judgment as a landmark victory over age-long injustice in the community.
"My ancestors, Edeaniagu Odunenye Ndi Ogu, never participated in the enslavement of others. On the contrary, he was dedicated to liberating those who had been captured by slave traders," Prof. Okoye stated.
She explained that Edeaniagu Odunenye Ndi Ogu had opposed slave merchants who attempted to use Ozalla land as a slave camp, which led to animosity against him and his descendants.
Shame on the children of those who profited from human suffering, and shame also on those descendants of the freed who, rather than standing with those who fought for their liberation, chose instead to side with the merchants against the very people who set them free.
A New Dawn for Edeaniagu Village
Chief Uchenna Nweke, President General of Edeaniagu Village, and Mr. Christian Uzochukwu, the village Secretary, recalled the untold hardship and intimidation their people suffered since the pronouncement of ostracization against them.
They described the court judgment as "a big relief and new dawn" for the people, expressing hope that all they had lost would be restored. The leaders also appealed to the Enugu State governor to grant their request for an autonomous community to ensure proper integration into society.
Prince Sylvester Chinedu Nweke, another community leader, said the court order had vindicated his people. He alleged that the ostracization was a ploy to prevent him from becoming the traditional ruler of Ishi-Ozalla Community.
"You see, lies can never prevail over truth. They saw that I have a clear chance of becoming the traditional ruler of Ishi-Ozalla Community and they brought this evil plan of ostracization to prevent me," he said.
Other stakeholders from the community, including Chief Peter Agu and Pastor Luke Eze, said the judgment has provided an opportunity for peaceful coexistence in Ishi-Ozalla and advised those benefiting from the crisis to desist forthwith.
