Delta Communities’ Boundary Issues Still Pending In Court – Monarch

The Obi-in-Council of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, Aniocha South local government area, Delta State has described as misleading the claim that a subsisting Supreme Court judgement over the boundary dispute between Ogwashi Uku and  Ibusa communities in Delta State exists.

The palace secretary to the Obi-in -Council of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, in a statement yesterday, said the boundary issues between the two communities are currently pending before the Delta State High Court in Asaba.

He reacted as members of  Ibusa community on Monday staged a peaceful protest to Government House, Asaba, over what they described as encroachment on their land by Ogwashi-Uku community.

He urged the government to resist being misled by inaccurate claims of non-existent Supreme Court judgments; allow the courts to determine the issues currently before them; and ensure that law and order is maintained along the River Oboshi boundary

“The matter is actively being litigated. We await the court’s determination. It is therefore deeply misleading and legally irresponsible to claim that there exists a subsisting Supreme Court judgment governing the present dispute.

“If such a judgment truly existed and conclusively settled over the boundary, there would be no need for the current suit pending before the High Court.”

The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ogwashi-Uku keep off from Ibusa land, we have Supreme Court verdict on the land,” “Implement Supreme Court judgment, Ibusa is a peaceful community,” and “Admiralty University is in Ibusa land, Ogwashi-Uku keep off,” called on the state government to enforce what they said were subsisting court judgments on the disputed boundary.

But the palace scribe however said the issues being canvassed in public protests are the very issues before a competent court of law, adding that the proper place for determination of boundary disputes is the courtroom and not the streets.

He said any attempt to create public pressure through misleading placards and media statements while litigation is ongoing undermines the judicial process which he said is contrary to the rule of law.

He explained that historically and administratively, the boundary between Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom and Ibusa is River Oboshi which is also the recognized boundary between Aniocha South LGA, and Oshimili North LGA.

“It is on record that certain documents, including questionable survey plans, have surfaced in an attempt to lay claim to lands that were never litigated and never awarded to Ibusa.

“These actions are clearly designed to manufacture artificial disputes and escalate tensions,” adding that Ogwashi-Uku will not be intimidated by forged instruments or media theatrics.

On the killing of members of Ogwashi-Uku community, brazen encroachment into its lands, and repeated provocations, Prince Emordi noted that Ogwashi-Uku has exercised extraordinary restraint and has  consistently pursued remedies through the courts rather than resorting to violence.

He stated that the actual location of Admiralty University which Ibusa people claimed is in their land is presently before the Federal High Court in Abuja adding that it would be premature and improper for anyone to make definitive public declarations about the location of the University.

Meanwhile, Delta State government has called for calm during the protest, urging them to maintain peace amid renewed tensions over a long-standing land dispute.

Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Prince Johnson Erijo, made the appeal while addressing members of the Ibusa community who staged a peaceful protest to Government House over what they described as encroachment on their land by Ogwashi-Uku community.