Land dispute: Stakeholders hail court ruling, urge respect for Ogwashi-Uku land boundaries

Stakeholders in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom have welcomed the ruling of the Delta State High Court in the long-running land dispute between the kingdom and the Esemese community of Ibusa, describing the ruling “as a victory for justice and the rule of law”.

Stakeholders said the decision, which rejected the main application of the Esemese community seeking to enforce an early sentence, strengthened confidence in the judicial process and safeguarded the kingdom’s territorial interests.

Reacting to the development, the head of Aboh Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Lawyer Jude Obidi, described the ruling as a landmark decision that reaffirmed the principle that court sentences should only be enforced within the boundaries of the actually contested territory.

According to him, the ruling strengthens the position that the boundary between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa remains the Oboshi River, pending the resolution of the substantive boundary case before the Delta State High Court.

Obidi commended the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, for pursuing the matter through legal and constitutional means, saying the monarch’s commitment protected the territorial integrity of the kingdom.

He noted that the ruling would have far-reaching implications for future attempts to enforce the previous ruling, particularly in relation to areas around Admiralty University, which he said remain subject to ongoing boundary litigation.

Reacting, the Chief of Staff of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Onyema Okonjo, also welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a positive development for the kingdom.

He urged residents and neighboring communities to respect the judicial process and avoid actions that could increase tensions while the substantive boundary dispute remains before the court.

Prince Okonjo stressed that the palace will continue to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the interests of the kingdom, including seeking appellate review where necessary, warning against trespassing on lands claimed by the kingdom.

Stakeholders have expressed optimism that the pending border case will finally bring lasting clarity to the territorial boundaries between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa, thereby promoting peace and harmonious co-existence between neighboring communities.