The traditional ruler of the Ogwashi-Ukuv kingdom, Dr Ifechukwude Okonjo II, has reacted to the directive by the Delta State Government banning the sales of land in communities in dispute.

The monarch said the state government being law-abiding, cannot interfere with the internal customary land issues within Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Mr Monday Onyeme, had earlier given the directive on Friday at a meeting to resolve Ogwashi-Uku kingship, chieftaincy and land disputes with neighbouring communities at the Government House, Asaba.

He had said, “All sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku and its neighbouring communities particularly in disputed boundary areas are hereby banned until further notice

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“The government is resolved to put to an end to all boundary disputes bothering between various communities in the state in order for the people to live in peace with one another.

“The meeting is a fallout from the State Security Council meeting which directed my office to address the issue which includes the deposition and replacement of gazetted Chiefs of Ogwashi-Uku by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, other issues as land ownership and administration of land titles in Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities, boundary disputes with other local government areas and the plethora of civil and criminal cases emanating from the resistance of the installation of new chiefs by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.”

Reacting in a statement on Saturday on behalf of the monarch, the Palace Secretary, Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, said there was no discussion regarding the kingship issues of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

“We are writing to address a story titled ‘Delta bans sales of land in Ogwashi-Uku’ which grossly misrepresents.

“This meeting pertained to boundary disputes between Ogwashi-Uku and neighbouring communities. There was no discussion regarding the kingship issues of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom,” he said.

He explained that “A few disgruntled chiefs, some of whom face criminal charges including murder and gun running, and 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.”

He stated that, “The Deputy Governor, at the end of the meeting, merely urged all communities to refrain from land sales in the disputed boundary areas to prevent any increase in tension.

“His Royal Majesty Obi Dr Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, as the Custodian, Trustee, and Overlord of all land in the Ogwashi-Ukuv Kingdom, has directed his subjects for the past two years to refrain from land sales that could harm the community.

“The Delta State Government, being law-abiding, cannot interfere with the internal customary land issues within Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom,” he said.

He added that “In Suit No A/117/2023, Honourable Justice Okpu granted an order of perpetual injunction 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.”

The state government was urged to respect court judgments regarding the internal land matters of Ogwashi-Uku. (The PUNCH)

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