By Ononye VC
An Onitsha High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Sylvester Odili on Tuesday dismissed an application for stay of its proceedings brought by the Ukwa Family of Umuasele Village, Onitsha in the Ugborimili Schools, Housing Estate Fegge Onitsha ownership tussle.
A similar application for stay of proceedings in the case by a Pentecostal Group- Gods Portion Ministry International – was equally struck out. The applications were refused because the Defendants(Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha)vigorously opposed them arguing that a non party to a case cannot halt ongoing proceedings. Barr Azubike Anazor, a senior counsel who represented the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha had submitted that for the Plaintiffs to re-file an application to join the Ukwa family as Co- Plaintiffs which application had earlier been refused by the court in January 2025, amounted to abuse of the judicial process and ought to be struck out.
The court refused both motions for stay of proceedings and for joinder, ordering the Plaintiffs to call their witnesses in proof of their claim. One witness gave evidence for the Plaintiffs and was duly cross examined by the Defendants, after which the case was adjourned to 13th and 20th June,2025 for continuation of hearing. It would be recalled that the Plaintiffs-a Pentecostal Group- are challenging the return of Ugborimili Schools by the Anambra State Government to the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. Ben Osaka,SAN appeared for the Plaintiffs. Ifeanyi Agwuncha Esq, Principal State Counsel,represented the State Government while Sir Azubike Anazor defended the Catholic Church.
