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The three-year legal battle between Mrs. Nnenna Ezenwa and Reverend Father Ejike Nwankwo may have concluded with both parties opting for an out-of-court settlement.

Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, a Federal High Court Judge in Awka, Anambra State, facilitated the amicable resolution of the dispute between the two parties.

Mrs. Ezenwa had accused the priest of defrauding her of approximately N27 million Naira. Consequently, the priest faced charges at the Federal High Court in Awka, including fraudulent activities, violence, assault, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

Despite the court granting an accelerated three-day hearing in the case, the parties initially failed to settle out of court. However, when trial resumed, Justice Dimgba expressed dissatisfaction with the priest's failure to reach an out-of-court settlement, emphasizing his discomfort in seeing a priest facing charges of fraud and other allegations in court.

Justice Dimgba urged Reverend Father Ejike to resolve the matter with Mrs. Ezenwa, highlighting the incongruity of a priest standing trial for fraud while potentially hearing confessions the next day. Following the judge's advice, the priest agreed to pay Mrs. Ezenwa the sum of N17 million Naira as part of the N27 million she demanded, representing the expenses incurred in refurbishing and equipping a moribund filling station central to the case.

Satisfied with the priest's agreement, Justice Dimgba adjourned the case and directed the parties to retire to the judge's chambers for a Zoom meeting with Mrs. Ezenwa, who was outside Nigeria. The priest agreed to pay Mrs. Ezenwa in two installments: N10 million on November 24th, 2023, and the balance of N7 million on January 24th, 2024. The court adjourned the case to February 1st, 2024, for a report on whether the matter had been finally settled.

As part of the settlement, the court ordered the parties to go to Umunze, the property location in question, for inspection and the collection of one 4 Runner Jeep, one bus, and three engines belonging to Mrs. Ezenwa. These items have been delivered and are now in Mrs. Ezenwa's custody. Any undelivered items will be disclosed to the court on the next adjourned date.

Previously, Mrs. Ezenwa had reported to the police that the priest had fraudulently deceived her into investing N26,986,000 in his moribund company, which included a filling station. She further alleged that she provided the priest with N4,250,000 in cash for refurbishing the company. The priest was charged with five counts, including fraudulent activity, violence, assault, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace in the case between the Inspector General of Police and Reverend Father Ejike Nwankwo.