…”land ownership in Ogwashi-Uku, belongs to the Obi” — Bendel State Law Series
Agidiase family, one of the big quarters in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha south local government area of Delta State, has protested what they described as alleged “forceful takeover and unauthorized sale of Agidiase family and community lands”, through the palace guards of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
They equally alleged that his younger brother, Prince Onyema Okonjo and other land agents and speculators largely across the Niger, are selling lands under the supervision of the monarch.
This is contained in a protest press release on Monday September 27th 2021, signed by Sir. Augustine Ebegbue, on behalf of Agidiase family.
“This peaceful protest is necessitated by the need to tell the general public that over 80 percent of the crisis in Ogwashi-Uku are land-related matters induced by Obi Chide Okonjo in his claim to be the “Trustee”, as well as the “Overlord” and absolute “Owner” of all lands in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
“It his effort towards achieving this ungodly and forbidden system of land ownership in our community”, disclosing that the principal head of the Agidiase family have severally warned against this ugly development through various organs of mass communication, yet, the Obi insists on unauthorized takeover of “our land without accountability to the lawful owners”.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Agidiase lands are variously located at Agidiase mainland, Edo, Otulu and Azagba Ogwashi-Uku farm settlements under the management of Agidiase family. We are convinced that the constitution of Nigeria, guarantees Right to life, freedom for individual ownership of land and Freedom from torture and forceful takeover of landed property by any individual no matter his or her position in the society”.
The family called on the relevant authorities particularly the State government to call Obi Chude Okonjo and his younger brother Prince Onyema Okonjo to order to save the community from disintegration and terror.
“We also have the mandate of Agidiase family and entire Ogwashi-Uku community to warn the Obi and people of Issele-Azagba to desist from laying claims on Otulu-Ogwashi as subsisting and uncontested High Court Judgement (in suit No 0/38/90 between Chief C.N. Anumonwo the Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku as he then was, for the Adigiase family and Ogwashi-Uku kingdom in general against His Highness, Obi Osemene, the Obi of Issele-Uku) exist for several decades in our favour against adverse claims to Otulu”.
He noted that that judgement stopped the Obi of Issele-Uku granting any Chieftaincy title with the suffix of Otulu”, saying only Ogwashi-Uku therefore could grant a title and collect rent and tributes from Otulu.
“We challenge any people that still make claims on Otulu to polish their documents (including the Supreme court judgement being claimed by Issele-Azagba) and publish them or wait for us in court”.
In a swift reaction, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku His Royal Majesty (HRM) Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo, pointed out that his father neither himself have sold any land.
The monarch, said: “the crisis in Otulu, is precipitated by individuals in that community who are not from Ogwashi-Uku, alleging that most of the individuals are criminal elements, “Otulu, has become a den of criminals”, he said.
“Ogwashi-Uku-Otulu land is communally own and held in trust by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.
Reading from the Bendel State Law Series No. 4 for Oshimili/Aniocha, written by Justice Igbobine, an authority in land Law, it said: “land ownership in Ogwashi-Uku, is communal in the sense that the entire belongs to the traditional and spiritual leader of Ogwashi-Uku, who is the Obi.
“He owes the land in Trust for the people and for the effective administration of the land, he delegates his senior chiefs in each quarter to take charge of parcels of lands in their quarters”, it added.
