A 69-year-old woman, Roseline Uchenna, and her four children are currently being tried at the Family Law Centre in Abakaliki for allegedly tearing down the residence of a widow, Maria Nwali.
During the hearing on Thursday, the centre’s chairperson, Elizabeth Nwali, ordered the immediate reconstruction of the destroyed property.
Following testimonies from both sides, the chairperson concluded that Roseline and her children—Samuel, Chinasa, Uzoamaka, and Chukwu Uchenna—acted unlawfully in taking justice into their own hands.
She also mandated that Maria Nwali, who had been cast out, be restored to her marital home. Village elders were summoned to appear at the next sitting for a conclusive settlement of the dispute, which was adjourned until May 7.
Maria Nwali recounted that she had been legally married to the late Otta Nwali and, though childless, had lived peacefully until tensions with relatives arose.
She described being assaulted and forcefully evicted from her home following a conflict involving Chinyere, a relative staying with her, and Roseline.
“The wife and children of my late husband’s younger brother are the ones tormenting me. We all lived in the same compound before our husbands passed away,” she explained.
She further alleged, “I wasn’t at home when trouble started between Chinyere and Roseline. Instead of resolving it peacefully, Roseline summoned her children.
They, along with some youths from the village, attacked me. They took money, palm oil, yam tubers, and other personal items.”
Ms Nwali urged the centre to ensure she receives compensation for her losses and the destruction of her home.
Roseline Uchenna, while acknowledging that her children were involved in the demolition, claimed the widow had been sheltering someone who frequently caused disturbances in the household.
She insisted that she had earlier asked Maria to evict the person to avoid conflict.
Chairperson Elizabeth Nwali, while addressing both parties, expressed disappointment over the escalation of the matter and stressed the importance of the elders’ presence in the next session to bring the case to a final resolution.