Supreme Court affirms Anambra community’s name change

Renowned philanthropist and US-based medical doctor, Prof. Godwin Maduka, has expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to unanimously dismiss a suit opposing the change of an Anambra community’s name from Nkerehi to Umuchukwu for lacking merit.

Prof. Maduka, who was among those who fought for the name change—a battle that lingered to the Supreme Court—said justice was at last served to a people who willingly adopted a new name for themselves.

During the hearing on January 13, 2025, the Supreme Court frowned upon the fact that the appellants, one Barr. Basil Igwike and others, did not seek the permission of the appeal court, which had ruled on the matter before bringing it before the Supreme Court as required by 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 the current decisions of both the high and appeal courts on the matter.

Counsel to the appellants, Julius Mba, therefore withdrew the case, while a cost of N500,000 each was awarded in favor of the three respondents—Mr. Dubem Obaze, Prof. Godwin Maduka, and one other.

With this, the judgment of the lower courts stands, and the name of Nkerehi remains changed to Umuchukwu.

The case dates back to 2008 when some elders of the community, for various reasons, became uncomfortable with the name of their town. They felt that their name, Nkerehi, was responsible for their misfortunes and underdevelopment as a people and therefore needed to change it.

A referendum was conducted between Nkerehi and Umuchukwu by the Anambra State Government through the Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters office, and Umuchukwu won 99.9 per cent, with only about 10 people standing for Nkerehi.

The name Umuchukwu was gazetted after the referendum, and a certificate of gazette was given to them by the Anambra State Government.

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 for over a decade regarding which name the community should bear.

Our correspondent gathered that the name change has ushered in several good things for the community, as strange occurrences have ceased to happen.

Umuchukwu is now witnessing massive development, with its sons and daughters all over the world progressing in their various endeavours and bringing wealth home.

In the community is located one of the tallest medical institutions, the Transatlantic University of Medical and Health Sciences, which was constructed by Prof. Maduka.

He has also embarked on several life-changing projects in the community, including youth empowerment, the construction of markets and hospitals, a decent housing scheme 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 people of Umuchukwu, preparing them for a new narrative for their community.

Prominent sons and daughters of Umuchukwu were also present during the historic decision of the Supreme Court.

Among them were the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Kenneth Maduka, and the President-General, Adinchezor Chukwuemeka.

In his reaction after the court’s decision, Igwe Maduka expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying the community will now settle down to reorganize itself with the identity it has chosen.

President-General Chukwuemeka also thanked the judiciary for its steadfastness in making the long-overdue name change a reality.

They also thanked Prof. Godwin Maduka for championing the legal battle that has lingered for over a decade from the lower courts to the highest court in the land.