The people of Ekoken in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State recently gathered in celebration of a Court of Appeal judgment which gave them victory in a boundary dispute between them and their neighbour; the people of Igueosagie village.
In their celebration, they asserted that the Appeal Court’s victory was only an affirmation of earlier resolution of the dispute in favour of the people of Ekoken by the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
The most elderly man in the community, David Eguasa Uhunwangho, said the two neighbours had been bounded by the natural feature of a moat from time immemorial as traditionally recognised in Benin Kingdom.
“Suddenly, Igueosagie people crossed the boundary deliberately, encroached on the land of Ekoken and were illegally selling to unsuspecting developers unrestrained,” he said
In his remarks, the Okaighele of Ekoken, Billy Aimuavbosa Ugiagbe, said: “It has been a long time when the Palace of the Oba of Benin first gave judgment in favour of the people of Ekoken.
“Again in 2018, after the withdrawal of the suit in the court, in compliance with the directive of the Palace, Oba Ewuare II resolved the dispute in favour of the people of Ekoken, stating that the natural feature of the moat remains the boundary.
“Surprisingly, the people of Igueosagie refused to abide by the Palace resolution.
“Even at that they again took us to court where Justice Eboriemen, based on the verifiable evidence presented, also gave judgment in our favour that according to the resolution of the authority of the Palace of the Benin monarch, the traditional boundary of ‘Iyanuwu’ (boundary moat) should remain and be adopted by all the disputing parties.
“As usual, the people of Igueosagie in concerted efforts, took an appeal for about two years.
“Probably sensing that the appeal may likely not be in their favour; they went back to the palace of Oba Ewuare II seeking intervention.
“As customary, the authority of the Oba asked all the disputing parties to return to the court; especially when it was the same people of Igueosagie who instituted the appeal case.
“Fortunately, the Appeal Court has given judgment in favour of Ekoken community; upholding the judgment of the lower court and the earlier resolution of the Palace of the Oba of Benin.”
One of the leaders of Ekoken, Nestor Amayo corroborated the narrative of the earlier speakers.
The elated people of Ekoken said that they had been vindicated, urging that their neighbour should embrace the peace which groundwork has been laid.
They consequently sent a warning to developers and prospective buyers in the hitherto area in dispute; from ‘Iyanuwu’ (boundary moat) downward’ to take note of the latest development.
Counsel to the people of Ekoken, Olayiwola Afolabi, gave a brief story of the case.
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