By Chukwuka Ugokwe :
The seemingly peaceful relationship existing between Catholic Diocese of Awka and Umuzocha Village Awka has taken a hostile dimension as they battle over ownership of a section of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral’s land.
Protest by Catholic Priests drawn from various parishes under the Diocese with counter protest staged by Umuzocha Women chanting solidarity songs held simultaneously at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Amawbia,
While the Priests lamented what they described as forceful break and entry into the Cathedral’s premises as well as malicious damage of the Church’s property by the community, the women protesters drew the attention of the people to land grabbing attempt by the church.
The Cathedral land was alleged to have been donated to the Church over 100 years ago by the people of Umuzocha Village ,Awka with a proviso for renegotiation on expiration of the stipulated period.
Addressing newsmen after meeting the representatives of the Umuzocha village at the SCID office, the Chancellor of the Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi, said they came to report the community in connection with alleged malicious damage to its property between February and March this year.
‘The Diocese swiftly reported to the police and today we are at the headquarters of the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command at Amawbia, Anambra State
While condemning the protesting villagers’ stance, Very Rev. Fr. Ndubuisi accused some young men from the village of forceful entry and malicious damage of property of the Church where the Regina Caeli College of Nursing Sciences is being constructed
According to him, the issue is not over land ownership, but the forceful entry and malicious damage of property by the community without authorization.
While acknowledging diocese ownership of the said land, he stated that the matter will be mentioned in the court the following day.
