A 69-year-old woman, Roseline Uchenna, along with her four children, is facing trial at the Family Law Centre in Abakaliki for allegedly demolishing the home of a widow, Maria Nwali.

During the proceedings on Thursday, the chairperson of the centre, Elizabeth Nwali, ordered that the demolished house be rebuilt immediately.

After hearing from all parties involved, the chairperson held Roseline and her four children (Samuel, Chinasa, Uzoamaka, and Chukwu Uchenna) responsible for taking the law into their own hands.

She also directed that Ms Nwali, who was ostracised, be reinstated to her matrimonial home.

In addition, the chairperson summoned the village elders to appear before the centre for a final resolution and adjourned the case until May 7.

Ms Nwali had told the centre that she was legally married before her husband, Otta Nwali, died. She had no child for the deceased. Afterwards, she said a misunderstanding involving a relative, Chinyere, and Ms Uchenna escalated, resulting in her being assaulted and forcibly evicted from her home.

“My oppressors are the wife and children of my late husband’s younger brother. We had all been living in the same compound before our husbands passed away,” said Ms Nwali.

She added, “I was away when a disagreement broke out between my namesake, who lives with me and Roseline. Instead of resolving the matter wisely, Roseline called her children, and, with the help of some village youths, they attacked me.

“Some of my belongings—including cash, containers of palm oil, tubers of yam, and other items, were taken.”

Ms Nwali appealed to the centre to compel the accused to compensate her for the damages and losses.

In her defence, Ms Uchenna admitted that the house was demolished by her children but accused Ms Nwali of harbouring someone who was not a family member and had been causing problems.

She said she had previously advised Ms Nwali to send the lady away to maintain peace in the household.

While addressing the matter, the chairperson also rebuked Ms Nwali for her inability to control Ms Chinyere and reiterated her directive for the village elders to be present at the next hearing for a final resolution.

(NAN)