Residents of Ulegun community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State have protested at the government house in Benin City over the detention of the Enogie (head) of Ulegun, Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie; the Ohen (chief priest) of Ulegun, Philip Uwuoroya; and some highly-placed personalities.
They appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to help in the release of the leaders who they said had been detained by the police since Friday.
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They also alleged that over 80 houses had so far been demolished by their “tormentors” over a disputed land, and called on the governor to carry out investigation on the true ownership of the land.
Speaking for the protesters, the Queen Mother in Ulegun, Rose Omoregie, said the enogie was called for a meeting last Wednesday and that since then he had not returned home.
She said they later found out that he was detained at the Oba Market police station on the order of a highly-placed institution.
She explained that the enogie inherited the land dispute case between Ulegun and Ikhiri communities from his grandfather, adding that there was never a time Ulegun allocated a parcel of land to any highly- placed personality.
She said, “This land dispute between the Ulegun community and Ikhiri community started in 1974 before the present enogie was born.
“His grandfather won the case against Ikhiri in court. His father also won in court, and he also won the case against Ikhiri community.”
The community’s Secretary, Peter Aigbe, said the land where houses were demolished was not in dispute as all cases concerning it had since been settled and resolved in favour of Ulegun by the Supreme Court.
He added that a former Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esther Edigin, ordered a perpetual injunction restraining Ikhiri community from further entering, selling, alienating, building and doing anything whatsoever that was adverse to the rights of the Ulegun community in and over the disputed land.
Responding, Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, commended the community for the peaceful protest.
He assured that the state government would explore all necessary constitutional means to intervene with a view to addressing the matter.
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