Ogwashi-Uku Chief Refutes Land Grabbing Allegations by Otulu Group
OGWASHI-UKU/Nigeria: Barrister Chief Jude Obidi, a prominent chief in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing made by the “United and Concerned Indigenes of Otulu.”
The group, claiming to represent the Otulu Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area, had called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene against alleged land seizures by individuals from Ogwashi-Uku. The group’s appeal followed a protest march in Asaba.
Mr. Chukwuma Nwaka, speaking on behalf of the Otulu group, accused His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechukwude, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, of orchestrating the takeover of ancestral lands belonging to Otulu. Nwaka further claimed that Otulu is an autonomous community and demanded government intervention to prevent further unrest.
In a swift response, Chief Obidi categorically dismissed the allegations as baseless. He emphasized that Otulu has always been an integral part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, backed by historical and legal documentation. Obidi described the protest as a misguided effort by a handful of individuals seeking to incite violence and create divisions.
“The so-called protest involved only five people, none of whom are from Otulu. This is nothing more than an attempt to spread falsehoods and destabilize the community,” Obidi stated, accusing the group of acting out a failed script aimed at stirring communal tension.
Nwaka also called on Governor Oborevwori and state security agencies to restrain the Ogwashi-Uku monarch, warning that continued tension could lead to further unrest in Otulu. He urged the state government to help Otulu reclaim lands allegedly taken by Ogwashi-Uku.
However, in a telephone interview, Chief Obidi reiterated that Otulu is legally part of Ogwashi-Uku. He cited government records, including gazettes from the Western Region, Bendel State, and Delta State, which officially list Otulu as one of the villages within the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
He further noted that Chief Anthony Enurah, the current leader of Otulu, was appointed by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and is officially recognized by the Delta State government.
Otulu elders, who have resided in the community for over 40 years, confirmed that the area had remained peaceful in recent years, particularly after the imprisonment of individuals responsible for earlier unrest.
However, they reported that the release of these individuals on bail, coupled with their alliance with people like Nwaka, has led to renewed violence in the community. The elders praised Chief Enurah for his leadership and efforts to restore peace, particularly through law enforcement collaboration to tackle recent criminal activities.
The elders also called on the police to investigate and bring to justice members of the “United and Concerned Indigenes” group, whom they accused of disrupting the community’s peace. They claimed that many members of the group are not from Otulu but come from neighbouring areas like Issele-Uku, with no legitimate claim to Otulu land.
The elders concluded by urging the group to cease attempts to rewrite history and incite violence. They alleged that Nwaka and his associates are being sponsored by Charles Ogboli, a fugitive wanted by the Nigerian Police for inciting violence in the community.
They reaffirmed that Otulu remains a recognized part of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, a fact they insisted is beyond dispute.
