Delta State Government Commission of Inquiry looking into land and kingship disputes in Ogwashi Uku and its neighbouring communities has concluded is sitting in Asaba after hearing at least 30 petitions from the public.
In her brief closing remark after Friday’s sitting, Chairman of the commission, Justice Ejiro Emudianowho said the commission members would visit certain selected relevant areas for on-the-spot assessment and further information gathering for the fact-finding mandate.
According to her, the itinerary for the visits would be communicated to members of the public, so that those who wish to come along could do so.
“We pray that the communities will remain peaceful as they have been throughout the period this Commission was sitting”.
“To the different counsel, It is your responsibility as counsel to ensure that everybody is peaceful. There should be no lawlessness or taking longer law into your hands.
She thanked petitioners, counsel to the respective parties, observers and supportive staff/Secretariat for their cooperation all through the sitting sessions and proceedings.
At the last sitting on Friday, the claim of illegal seizure of land at Asagba Ogwashi, a satellite community in Ogwashi Uku kingdom and bulldozing of structures near Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku allegedly by His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II was entertained.
During cross-examination, however, Azagba community’s representative, Pastor Adingupu admitted that the land in question was part of the 500 hectares legally awarded to the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom by court judgment.
The witness who did not produce any documentation to support claims of land sales by the Obi, said the land belonged to Azagba community as “it has been our farmland “adding that most of the houses bulldozed were built by indigenes of the community and not strangers from across the river Niger as claimed by the obi.
Barrister Chike Onyemenam, SAN, representing the Obi had argued that the immediate past Obi had designated the area for a planned mega city, only for members of Azagba Ogwashi-Uku to illegally sell portions of the land to traders some of them from across the river Niger.
The counsel tendered evidence, including court judgments, warrant of possession, and certificate of possession to prove the case.
He also submitted over 120 deeds of conveyance and applications for ratification by buyers to the commission as evidence.
On the accusation by some persons representing Aboh Ogwashi Uku, that the Obi of Ogwashi Uku kidnapped one Ekene Ugbah, a recorded audio conversation was played to substantiate the claim even as the translation revealed no evidence of wrongdoing against the king.
Witness, Apostle Collins Emnwewa under cross-examination, named a woman, one Joy Uche who was speaking to someone on the alleged kidnaping and killing of the said Ekene on the recording adding that he could not tell if the said Ekene’s dead body has been seen.
Barrister Ngozi Chukura, counsel to the Ogwashi monarch and Barrister Jude Obidi, one of the persons implicated in the petition over the killing, dispelled the allegation by presenting police investigation reports identifying Ekene Ugbah as a suspect in the murder of one Chukwunweike Alao.
In his final submission, the Obi’s lawyer emphasized the complete lack of evidence in all the allegations against His Majesty Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, describing them as part of a coordinated campaign to smear the reputation of the king.
He urged the commission to recognize that the Obi’s firm stance against land grabbing and illegal activities had made him a target of individuals seeking to tarnish his reputation.
Meanwhile, the petitions relating to the Iyase title of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, as held by Chief Mike Chukwuka Nwaukoni were withdrawn from the commission.
The withdrawal followed an oral application by Counsel to Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo, Prince Chike Onyemenam (SAN) based on the fact that the issue of Iyaseship title of Ogwashi-Uku was not in the terms of reference of the seven-man commission.
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