Agidiehe Community/Quarters in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha south local government area of Delta State has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, to stop speculation, grabbing and selling of the lands in Ogwashi-Uku.
The community through their lawyer, F.N. Monyei Esq., on December 5, 2024, in Asaba, accused the lnspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and his men of being used by the monarch in aiding and abetting the sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
“Agidiehe Community for several centuries was in undisturbed possession and ownership of their farmland at Edo Ogwashi, exercising various acts of ownership like farming, hunting and reaping of both food crops and economic trees on their farmland at Edo Ogwashi.
“Ogwashi-Uku is a kingdom and same is ruled by a king known as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, who is the overall administrative head of Ogwashi-Uku.
“The value of the crops and properties of members of Agidiehe Community destroyed by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II and his agents i.e. HAJIA HALIMA with the aid of the police is over N500 million,” they stayed.
But the Obi-in-Council, Ogwashi-Uku dismissed as baseless and fabricated the story titled “Agidiahe Community Petitions Police IG, Governor Oborevwori, Accuses Obi of Ogwashi-Uku of Land Speculation, Grabbing”.
Ogwashi-Uku palace secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, characterized the allegations leveled by Chief Ezekiel Iloba as “laughable and comical.”
He noted that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku has intervened on multiple occasions to mediate and appeal for peace among community members aggrieved by Iloba’s actions.
He said lloba is desperately clinging to falsehoods, reiteratiing that the ongoing land recovery efforts are being conducted legally and with the backing of court judgements.
“The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku is the custodian, trustee, and overlord of all lands in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. All illegally sold land will be returned to its rightful purpose,” Emordi stated.
He emphasized that these efforts aim to ensure that community members, many of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods, retain access to farmland for subsistence agriculture.
Emordi also affirmed the Obi’s stance against the sale of communal land in a manner that disadvantages the community.
“These claims of land grabbing are baseless. The land in question is being recovered lawfully, with approvals from relevant authorities and law enforcement to assist court officials.
“The Obi will never condone the unauthorized sale of communal land, and any chief or individual attempting to do so will face consequences.
“The Palace remains transparent and is prepared to respond to any law enforcement agency to demonstrate that these actions are legitimate and within the rule of law,” he added.
Chief Onyema Okafor, the Okwabani (traditional leader) of Edo Ogwashi-Uku, corroborated the Palace’s position, confirming the ongoing removal of illegal real estate signage from farmlands as part of the recovery process.
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