The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, HRM Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II has given the Admiralty University of Nigeria located on the Ogwashi-Uku- Ibusa road thirty (30) days to change their address failing which he would commence legal action against the university.
In a pre-action notice served on the chairman of the Governing Council, Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University by Sir J.O Ojobu & Co who are lawyers to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and members of the Obi in Council of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, the lawyers detailed their reason for their notice.
In his letter sighted by our correspondent dated 21st of November 2023, Sir J.O Ojobu & Co notified Admiralty University about the anomalies and irregularities in the legislation establishing the university which have made it unconstitutional.
The lawyers pointed out that the constitution of Nigeria has delineated 774 local governments whose boundaries are inserted into the constitution of the federal government.
With this, any designation contrary to the delineation as recognised by the constitution is null and void. Sir J.O Ojobu attached to his letter a certified map of Delta state with local government boundaries and pointed out in his letter that the boundary between Ibusa which is located in Oshimili North local government area and Ogwashi-Uku which is in Aniocha South local government is the river Oboshi.
This river also forms the natural boundary between the Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa communities. As Admiralty University which is uncontestably located in Aniocha South local government area which is a constitutional issue, it cannot be located in Ibusa (Oshimili North local government).
The lawyers to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku pointed out that members of the Ibusa community have leveraged on these anomalies to encroach into Ogwashi-Uku land and alienate same with impunity.
When contacted by our correspondent for his feedback, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi the Palace Secretary in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom mentioned that members of the Ogwashi-Uku community would not continue to tolerate any further breach of the constitution and claim to their farmland by the Ibusa community.
According to him, the former commissioner for lands, Mrs. Kate Onianwa, is from Ibusa and did not aid matters by her position on the issue.
The palace secretary stated that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku being an academic with a doctorate degree in economics was not opposed to the university but wanted to ensure that the address and other legislation properly reflected the true and correct location of the university.
He also warned members of the Ibusa community currently trespassing on Ogwashi-Uku land to stay away from the land.
When asked about the claims by members of the Ibusa Community that they have a Supreme Court judgment, the Palace Secretary laughed and, in his own words, ” What did the Ibusa people tell you they won? The same Supreme Court ruled that the survey plan they presented was incorrect.
Secondly, the litigation did not cover the entire boundary between the two communities. The area that was litigated has no connection with the Admiralty area.
Thirdly and most importantly, the courts do not make laws, they interpret laws. The courts cannot and did not change constitutional boundaries. Did they tell you that the Supreme Court moved the boundary to cover Admiralty Universities location?
The courts cannot do this. We are law abiding and we will resolve this issue not through importing thugs and bandits with guns but through a transparent legal process.
I am sure you are aware of the reports of people killed in the area so they can quickly sell land to strangers in the area. What does that tell you? The location of Admiralty University being in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South local government is absolutely not in any doubt and the issue of the address of the university we are sure will be corrected to reflect the proper lawful location.
Attempts to reach the Obuzo of Ibusa were unsuccessful.
