Crisis is currently brewing over claim and counter claim of a property built by one late Mr. Dennis Ijeh Eluemelem, 60 years ago in Owa-Oyibu, Ika north east local government area of Delta State.
A 76-year-old widow and native of Owa-Oyibu, the administrative headquarters of the council, Mrs. Rose Eluemelem, alleged that one of the children of the traditional ruler of Owa Kingdom, Prince Wilson Efeizomor, has destroyed her late husband’s house at Owa-Oyibu near Ika north east council Secretariat.
The aggrieved widow said that she is seeking for justice from government and other relevant authorities as Wilson Efeizomor has purportedly threatened her life if she does not hands off the property.
She disclosed that the said property was built by her late husband more than 60 years ago but, wondered why Wilson Efeizomor, is laying claim to what does not belong to him.
Hear her: “I am the wife of Mr. Dennis ljeh Eluemelem, the owner of the property lying and situated at Owa-Oyibu, along Alero Road, near Ika north east local government council secretariat, Owa-Oyibu. Late Mr Dennis Ijeh Eluemelem, bought the parcel of land wherein he built his house from late Mathias Egbon.
“Mr Dennis Eluemelem, being an enlightened man, his transaction with late Mathias Egbon was documented. My family have been in absolute possession of the said property about 65 years ago without any hindrance, trespass or third party claim on the land.
“When lka north east local government area was created in 1991, the property (building) was leased to the Nigeria Police before its present office was built at Owa-Oyibu.
“The Nigerian Police paid rent to us acknowledging that my husband is the owner of the said building. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Police was a tenant to Mr Dennis Ijeh Eluemelem, my late husband, paying rent to him. This happened in the presence of the Obi of Owa and his children who never raised eyebrows, objection or third party claim to the said property”, the 76 years old widow lamented.
The children of late Mr. Dennis Ijeh Eluemelem, in a bid to ensure that their mother, Mrs. Rose Dennis Eluemelem returned back to the village as a result of her old age decided to renovate their late father’s house .
It was learnt that in the course of renovating the said house that Wilson Efeizomor with his alleged hired hoodlums invaded and destroyed the house.
She described the actions of Prince Wilson Efeizomor, as barbaric, wicked and unlawful just as the old widow blamed His Royal Majesty (HRM) Emmanuel Efeizomor II, who doubles as the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, for her predicament, alleging that the Owa monarch was the one who first started the injustice against her by waging war against her over her late husband’s property.
She revealed that they have gone to court and won the case but wondered why the Owa monarch and his son, Wilson are against her even as she appealed to government at all levels, including human rights activists to come to her rescue as she has been rendered homeless by the Efeizomor family.
But in a swift reaction, Prince Victor Efeizomor who is the Special Assistant to the state governor on Print Media, hinted: “These allegations are false claims. His Royal Majesty (HRM) the Obi of Owa, is not in contention with any body over the rightful own of the land.
“The property/land is the ancestral land where previous kings of Owa kingdom are buried and it’s a sacride land and the land accommodates Owa Shirine.
“The woman and her family wrongful purchased the land from someone who is not the rightful ownership the property.
“The land in the time past and in the present belongs to the ancient royal family, the ruling house of Owa.
“The matter is already in court, funny enough, the defendants lawyer has not filed a single defence in the matter, but has consistently mislead his clients into believing that judgement has been given in their favour.
“At the same time criminally collecting legal fee and urging them to take possession of the property when no judgement has been given yet, infact the defendants lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Aghaulor has not file any defence.
“Although, the matter is in court, which amounts to subjudice when discussed, but it’s important to set the records strieght.
“The Obi of Owa, did not demolish any building neither did he order his son in that regard. Their allegation is just a figment of their imagination.
“The building in question is a made of mould bricks which caved in as a result of constant rain over the period. Nature is at work as the heavy rains might have affected it.
“Meanwhile, when a matter is in court , it’s expected that all parties should meantain status quo but they contemptously went on a construction expedition.
“However, it’s within the power of the Obi of Owa ,as the overlord of the kingdom to approve of any land allocation in the kingdom, so where did they get approval?
“The mention of Prince Willson Efeizomor as a master mind and who is a federal government civil servant, is not only malicious but a calculated attempt to redicule his personality as he has nothing to do with the land issue.
“My advice to the defendants is for them to display or publish the judgement of the court granting, which gives ownership of the property to them”, he added.
It would be recall that one of the sons of the monarch, who is the Chief Security Officer (CSO), to the state governor, CSP George Onyise Efeizomor, allegedly unleashed terror on three artisans around November 2019.
News filtered into town on Tuesday 12 November 2019, that Efeizomor, son to the traditional ruler, allegedly molested artisans at their workplace on 1st November 2019, when the CSO went for lunch at a rickety local food vendor to eat his native soup called Ofejuju and pounded yam by House on the Rock Church along Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), road Asaba, while his driver blocked the entrance to a mechanic workshop in same premises.
It’s very regrettable that Victor Efeizomor, his father & their team of legal advicers do not know the meaning of Land Use Decree Act of 1978 Local, State & Federal Government are the Overlord of all Landed Property in the Country. Victor Efeizomor should know that his father is the 17th Obi of Owa Kingdom. Victor Efeizomor should know that Denis Eluemelem is a great grandson to late Ewoh the 7th Obi of Owa Kingdom while Prince Mathias Egbon the Osague of Owa was the Grandson to the Late Igboba Iseh the 13th Obi of Owa Kingdom. Victor Efeizomor should know that six Quarters that form Obisi are the Royal Children & they are entitled to live on Ancestoral Land. President Muhammad Buhari should with matter of urgency Reprimind the Obi of Owa Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area Delta State while the Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone5. & Commissioner of Police Delta State should send Fact Finding Mission to Owa Oyibu over Land Ricketing going on in the Area. Enough is Enough.