The people of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Delta State, have clarified misleading publications in national dailies claiming that the state government had banned sales of land in the kingdom.
Speaking on behalf of the monarch, the Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, in a statement, said the State government would not interfere with the internal customary land issues within the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
The statement read in part, “We are writing to address a story titled ‘Delta bans sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku,’ which grossly misrepresents the outcome of the meeting held with the Deputy Governor.
“This meeting pertained to boundary disputes between Ogwashi-Uku and neighbouring communities such as Ibusa, Ewulu, Ubulu Okiti, Okpanam and others.
“In addition, A few disgruntled chiefs who were suspended by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, attended the meeting to voice their grievances about the disciplinary actions taken against them.
“They were instructed to submit their grievances in writing within seven days, and the meeting was suspended to allow the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, who was not present, to attend a future discussion on these matters.”
The statement said the Deputy Governor, at the end of the meeting, urged all communities to refrain from land sales in the disputed boundary areas to prevent any increase in tension.
“This position and decision by the Deputy Governor is welcome and applauded by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku who has complained over the years about encroachment into Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom land by neighbouring communities.
“His Royal Majesty Obi Dr Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, as the Custodian, Trustee, and Overlord of all land in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, has previously directed his subjects for the past three years to refrain from controversial land sales that could harm the community.
“The Delta State Government, being law-abiding, will not interfere with the internal customary land issues within Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom as this would be an infringement on the rights of the people of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. The lands in question are not government-acquired land, so sales cannot be banned,” the palace said.
“In addition, in Suit No A/117/2023, Honourable Justice Okpu granted an order of perpetual injunction on February 2024 against the defendants (The Attorney General of Delta State, Deputy Governor of Delta State, and Kessington O. Mordi-Ogoriseme), preventing them from interfering with the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku’s rights in managing Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom lands and appointing chiefs to manage these lands on his behalf for the people of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom. This order of perpetual injunction remains in effect,” it said.
The statement assured that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku would ensure strict compliance with the directive of the deputy governor and had already summoned chiefs in the boundary areas to intimate them about the decision.
According to the statement, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku also welcomed the intervention of the state government to correct misplaced impressions about security issues and its willingness to assist in the settlement of Chieftaincy disputes.
The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku has urged members of the community to disregard the ‘fake news’ from those media outlets.
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