IIG TO OGHARA: YOU OWN NO LAND IN WARRI NORTH LGA; OBITUGBO IS AN ITSEKIRI COMMUNITY

The attention of the leadership of the Itsekiri Interests Group (IIG), led by its President, Comr. Gbubemi Awala, and its Secretary, Comr. Temi Atake, has been drawn to a disturbing publication where the Oghara people, led by “unschooled false historians”, lay claim to Obitugbo Community (Obite-Ugbo) in Warri North Local Government Area.

This attempt by the Oghara people and certain Urhobo online miscreants, such as Ejiro Imuere, to grab the ancestral Itsekiri land of Obitugbo using the false name “Otegbo” is a calculated attempt to scheme their way into Warri North LGA. It must be noted that Oghara Community is located in Ethiope West Local Government Area, while Obitugbo is located in Warri North.

On April 7, 2022, the Oghara Traditional Council published a statement on page 23 of the Vanguard Newspaper titled: “ILLEGAL AND UNLAWFUL HANDING OVER OF VAST EXPANSE OF LAND BELONGING TO OGHARA, LOCATED AT OTEGBO (WHICH THE ITSEKIRI CALL OBITUGBO) VILLAGE TO THE NIGERIAN ARMY BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, OGIAME ATUWATSE III, THE OLU OF WARRI KINGDOM.” This publication was circulated in other media and followed by press conferences by the Ovie of Oghara and his chiefs.

False Claims and Misinterpretations

In the aforementioned publications and press conferences, the Oghara Traditional Council falsely laid claim to the ownership of Obitugbo (which they call “Otegbo”) and Ajagbodudu. Both are Itsekiri communities in Warri North LGA, Delta State, under the overlordship of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.

Let it be on record that Obitugbo is not on the boundary between Ethiope West and Warri North; rather, Ajagbodudu sits on that boundary. By attempting to grab Obitugbo, these elements are also attempting to seize Ajagbodudu, an aboriginal Itsekiri community. They have gone as far as parading false history and misinterpreting individual land cases as proof of Oghara ownership.

Historical Foundations of Obitugbo

Obitugbo is an Itsekiri community founded by Iyatsere Egharegbemi, who lived there with his wives, children, and domestics. His eldest son, Dandan, took control and managed the land on behalf of his siblings, eventually expanding the settlement to accommodate other immigrants. His descendants have exercised acts of possession and ownership over Obite-Ugbo land for generations and still inhabit it to this day. Over the years, the community has leased portions of the land to various entities, including Domez Nigeria Limited in 1976 and Tuoyo Holding Limited.

Legal Realities

No part of Obitugbo land has ever been litigated with a judgment in favor of the Oghara people. The only active case in court was instituted by the Obitugbo people as claimants (Suit No. S/29/2001: Abel Igorki & 3 others vs. Presco Nig. Ltd, Edema Atikpekpe & 3 others).

The genesis of the case is as follows:

In 2001, the Obitugbo community noticed encroachment on its land by Presco (Nigeria) Limited. Investigation revealed that the Oghara people had purportedly “given” the land to the company. Consequently, the Obitugbo people instituted legal action for a declaration of title, trespass, and injunction.

In the suit, the Obitugbo people claimed:

A declaration that the plaintiffs are the rightful owners entitled to a Customary Right of Occupancy over the land at Obite-Ugbo.
An order of Permanent Injunction against the Oghara people to restrain them from interfering with the land.

On November 1, 2007, the Obitugbo community obtained an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Oghara people and Presco Nig. Ltd from further trespass. Frustrated by this, the Oghara people appealed but subsequently abandoned the appeal, which has since remained dormant.

Boundaries and Contempt of Court:

For the avoidance of doubt, Obitugbo land is bounded to the North by the Ossiomo River, the South by the Benin River, the East by Ajagbodudu, and the West by Koko. The presence of the Ovie of Oghara and his chiefs at Obitugbo on April 5, 2022, under the guise of a protest, is a direct contempt of the 2007 court injunction. In response, the Obitugbo people have instructed their solicitors to commence committal proceedings against the Ovie and his chiefs.

The Role of the Olu of Warri
The sites for the proposed University of Warri and other institutions in Obitugbo are on lands owned by the Obitugbo community. As the overlord of all Itsekiri lands, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III is acting within his rights by consenting to the wishes of his subjects regarding land under his jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the claim that Itsekiri people failed to make submissions to the Delta State Boundary Commission is false. The communities of Obitugbo and Ajagbodudu, along with the Warri North Local Government Council, all submitted position papers. Conversely, when the Oghara people instituted Suit No. HCH/38/2014 regarding boundary adjustments, they abandoned the suit after only one appearance. It was struck out earlier this year for lack of diligent prosecution after eight years of stalling.

Evidence of Migration vs. Aboriginal Settlement

1. The Jackson Line: Oghara does not share a boundary with Koko. It shares a boundary with Ajagbodudu, as clearly defined by the “Jackson Line.”

2. Oral History: Oghara’s own history dates their migration to approximately 1880. They claim they “passed through” Oghareki. Logically, one cannot name a land one is merely passing through unless that land is already inhabited.

3. Itsekiri Antiquity: Historical records show Chief Nana Olomu (who died in 1883) and his son held authority over these areas long before Oghara’s arrival. The Warri Kingdom dates back to 1027 AD, with settlements like Efurokpe existing centuries before Oghara migrated from Agbarha-Otor.

4. Documentation: Prof. Peter P. Ekeh of the Urhobo Historical Society documented that the Oghara moved to their present location following a crisis in Agbarha-Otor. He also noted that in the early 1990s, Oghara people paid rent to the Oba of Benin for farming. The Itsekiri communities of Ajagbodudu, Obitugbo, and Efurokpe have never paid rent, confirming their status as original owners.

The historical, oral, and legal evidence is clear: Oghara’s presence is the result of late migration, whereas Itsekiri communities are the aboriginal inhabitants of these lands. We advise the Oghara leadership to respect the rule of law and cease their expansionist agenda.