In a decisive enforcement of judicial authority, the Delta State High Court, Owa-Oyibu Judicial Division, has issued a Certificate of Possession in favour of His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, in Suit No. 0/50/2021.
Lawyer to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku for the case was Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN
The Certificate, signed by R.I. Osemeke, Deputy Director, covers all lands from the back of the Delta State Polytechnic to the Edo Ogwashi-Uku road in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State.
A Certified True Copy of the document sighted by our correspondent showed that the Certificate was issued after the execution of a Writ of Possession, which was carried out by court bailiffs with the assistance of the Nigeria Police Force—acting under the approval of the Inspector General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, and supervised by the OC Legal, Delta State Command.
Court’s Declaration on Land Ownership and Sales
The judgment of the court in Suit No. 0/50/2021 declared that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku—subject to the Land Use Act, 1978—is the Custodian, Trustee, and Overlord of all lands within Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, holding same in trust for the Ogwashi-Uku people.
The court further ruled that any sale, lease, or alienation of land in Ogwashi-Uku without the express consent and written approval of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.
Warning to the Public
When contacted, the Palace Secretary to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi thanked the High Court and Inspector General of Police.
He also issued a formal warning to all individuals, developers, and communities within and outside Ogwashi-Uku.
His words: “Any unauthorised entry, occupation, or development of the said land constitutes criminal trespass and may result in arrest, prosecution, and possible imprisonment.
“All land transactions in Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom must be cleared and approved by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku; otherwise, they carry no legal standing.
“Violators also risk being held in contempt of court for flouting a subsisting judgment.”
Meanwhile, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the ancestral lands of the kingdom, ensuring they remain a secure inheritance for present and future generations.
