Justice Tagbo Anieto Gives Conflicting Judgments on Same Matter, Stirring Legal Debate

 

Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto of the Anambra State High Court, Otuocha Judicial Division, has found himself at the centre of controversy following two rulings delivered within a span of 24 hours—both touching on contractual authority and land title validity, yet arriving at seemingly contradictory conclusions.

On *July 24, 2025*, in *Suit No. OT/169/2021*, Justice Anieto dismissed the plaintiff’s case, ruling in favour of the 1st Defendant. The court held that the executive committee (EXCO) which executed the agreement relied upon by the Plaintiff had been previously invalidated by a court of competent jurisdiction. Consequently, the judge ruled that the Plaintiff’s claim “hangs on nothing at all,” declaring Exhibit K2—the foundational contract—illegal and void due to lack of proper authority.

However, barely a day later, in *Suit No. OT/184/2022*, the same judge ruled *in favour* of the Plaintiffs under similar circumstances. In this case, a key land document (Exhibit J) was dismissed as a “rogue document,” on the grounds that its signatory, Barr. William Enwelum, lacked the legal authority to sign at the time. The judgment went further to brand the 2nd Defendant a “dubious land grabber,” labeling the defendants’ entire root of title as fraudulent and awarding costs against them.

The close timing and differing outcomes of the two rulings—both rooted in questions of document legitimacy and authority—have sparked a wave of public and legal scrutiny. Observers question why, in one case, the lack of legal authority nullified the plaintiff’s case, while in the other, a similar lack led to a ruling fully in favour of the plaintiffs.

Legal analysts argue that while each case may have had unique facts, the opposing judicial outcomes raise concerns about consistency and fairness. “If similar legal principles are producing opposite outcomes, then something is amiss—either in interpretation or application,” one lawyer commented.

As legal observers continue to examine the judgments, many are calling for a more unified and transparent judicial approach—especially in matters that bear significant land and contractual implications.

The incidents come at a time when public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary is fragile, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recently urged judges to uphold integrity and impartiality. For now, the conflicting rulings remain a point of heated discussion and may potentially set the stage for further legal challenges—or appeals.