The community of Ejuona Obukpa in Nsukka Local government area of Enugu State has frowned at a legal suit of ₦100million filed against University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) on Monday.
The plaintiff, Mr Nnaemeka Aleke, is seeking a ₦100 million damage from UNN for the alleged degradation of the community environment by a contractor handling the construction of the university 11,900 room hostels.
The contractor was accused of wrongly channeling
water into the community.
Meanwhile, the suit is pending before Enugu High Court, Nsukka.
After a meeting with its leaders on Monday, the community dissociated themselves from the legal action.
However, the traditional ruler of Ejuona Obukpa, Mathias Ezea, addressed reporters after meeting, described Mr Aleke’s lawsuit as, “a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the community”.
Ezea said, “This is to tell the public that Aleke is on his own in that suit, because he has no backing of the community to file any suit against UNN and Viagem property investment limited – the contractor constructing student hostel for the university.
He stressed that the community has no intention of taking UNN and her contractor to court, there is no misunderstanding between the community and UNN.
“Since the establishment of UNN in 1960, the Ejuona community has enjoyed cordial relationship with the University,” he said.
The traditional ruler said the community is embarrassed by a recent publication in some sections of the media by Aleke claiming that the suit against UNN was on behalf of the community.
“The plaintiff is on his own and is not acting on behalf of the community”. he said. “Mr Aleke do not hold any position in Ejuona community (and) therefore, cannot speak or act on behalf of the community.”
In the same likelihood, the president-general of Ejuona Obukpa community, Fabian Ozoko, sai, he was surprised to hear about the suit. He further expressed satisfaction about the hostel construction, as “it would help solve problem associated with accommodation”.
Mr Ozioko, who was represented by the vice chair, Christian Omeje said the suit was giving the community “a bad image”.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
