The traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta State, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II, has assured his people that they will continue to defend their ancestral lands through every available lawful means.
The monarch, younger brother of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, was reacting to a publication circulated by some individuals from neighbouring Ibusa community concerning a recent ruling by a Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba over the boundary dispute between the two communities.
The ruling followed a preliminary objection raised during the proceedings.
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According to the traditional ruler, the publication suggested that the court had, through its decision, newly determined the boundary between the communities at Ubu Stream. He described the interpretation as “a grossly misleading characterisation of what transpired”.
“It was a ruling on a preliminary objection, not a substantive judgment determining the boundary between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa.
“This is a fundamental distinction which those celebrating today’s proceedings have conveniently failed to explain to their people. We are, however, very confident that the Court of Appeal will override this ruling.
“A court’s determination of a preliminary objection must not be confused with a substantive adjudication of disputed boundary rights.
“The Palace therefore calls on those responsible for the publication to stop misleading the Ibusa community and the general public with sensational headlines that misrepresent the nature and effect of judicial proceedings”, Obi Okonjo said in a statement issued by the Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanackukwu Emordi, on Thursday.
The monarch warned that no individual or group should interpret the ruling as permission to trespass on disputed lands, intimidate farmers, engage in unlawful land transactions, mobilise thugs or attempt to alter existing boundaries by force.
Maintaining that the Oboshi River remained the boundary between the two communities, the statement rejected attempts to use the procedural ruling as a blanket declaration transferring Ogwashi-Uku communal lands to Ibusa.
“It is particularly important to distinguish the specific lands and villages involved in the historical litigation from the much wider boundary now being claimed by certain Ibusa interests.
“No amount of media propaganda can enlarge the geographical scope of an old court judgment or confer rights over lands that were never properly adjudicated upon in those proceedings.”
Obi Okonjo called on relevant security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that no party exploited misleading interpretations of the court ruling.
He said the Ogwashi-Uku people’s commitment to peace should not be mistaken for a willingness to surrender their ancestral inheritance.
The palace urged sons and daughters of Ogwashi-Uku, both at home and in the diaspora, to remain calm, united and confident, adding that the monarch remained resolute in protecting the kingdom’s communal lands and the legitimate interests of his people.
“The Palace will continue to pursue the appropriate judicial remedies and ensure that the rights and interests of Ogwashi-Uku are vigorously defended.
“We also advise our neighbours in Ibusa that lasting peace between our communities will not be achieved through distortion of court proceedings, exaggerated territorial claims or provocative public statements.
“Both communities are better served by respect for the law, accurate reporting of judicial decisions and peaceful coexistence.”
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