The ongoing land recovery efforts by the traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku kingdom in Delta state, Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II are being conducted legally and with the backing of court judgments, Palace Secretary to the Obi-in-Council, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi has said.
Obi Okonjo II is the younger brother of the Director General of World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who was recently re-elected to the exalted position.
In a statement in Ogwashi Uku on Saturday, the secretary maintained that the land in question is being recovered lawfully, with approvals from relevant authorities and law enforcement to assist court officials.
Prince Emordi was reacting to online reports titled “Agidiahe Community Petitions Police IG, Governor Oborevwori, Accuses Obi of Ogwashi-Uku of Land Speculation, Grabbing”
In the petition, the people alleged among others that “the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku now directly speculates on Agidiehe farmland at Edo-Ogwashi with the aid of policemen by bringing in bulldozers with which he has destroyed farmlands and properties of members of Agidiehe Community.
Emordi described the allegations against the monarch by one Chief Ezekiel Iloba in the petition as laughable, comical, and lies from the pits of hell, adding that they are part of a malicious and deliberate smear campaign against the Obi.
The petitioners had also accused the Inspector General of Police and his men of being used by the monarch of aiding and abetting in land sales, calling on President BolaTinubu to intervene.
According to the statement, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku is the custodian, trustee, and overlord of all lands in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom adding that all illegally sold land would be returned to its rightful purpose.
He emphasised that these efforts aim to ensure that community members, many of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods, retain access to farmland for subsistence agriculture.
Emordi also affirmed Obi’s stance against the sale of communal land in a manner that disadvantages the community.
“The Obi will never condone the unauthorised sale of communal land, and any chief or individual attempting to do so will face consequences.
“The Palace remains transparent and is prepared to respond to any law enforcement agency to demonstrate that these actions are legitimate and within the rule of law,” he added.
As a way of corroborating the Palace’s position, the secretary named a traditional chief from Edo-Ogwashi, a satellite community, one Onyema Okafor as confirming the ongoing removal of illegal real estate signage from farmlands as part of the recovery process adding that the reclaimed land will be returned to the community’s farmers.
Quoting Okafor, the palace scribe said: “These claims of land grabbing are baseless. Chief Iloba’s own testimony at the commission of inquiry that investigated land matters in Ogwashi Uku and neighbouring communities confirmed that the Agidiahe community stands firmly with the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku. His petition is nothing but a desperate attempt to rewrite the narrative and cover up his actions.”
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