FROM THE PALACE OF HRM OBI (PROF) L.C. NWOBOSHI, THE OBUZOR OF IBUSA KINGDOM

 

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE PALACE OF HRM OBI (PROF) L.C. NWOBOSHI, THE OBUZOR OF IBUSA KINGDOM

RIGHT OF REPLY

Our attention has been drawn to a press statement  purportedly emanating from the Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, titled; "RE: INCIDENT OF THURSDAY, 19TH MARCH 2026 AT ABOH OGWASHI-UKU" where the authors claimed that they were  responding "to the unprovoked acts of aggression, criminality, threats to life, and wanton destruction of property allegedly perpetrated by certain individuals from the Ibusa community on Thursday, 19th March 2026, at Aboh Ogwashi-Uku."

Ordinarily, we would have loved to completely ignore the said statement and brush it aside as a piece of trash, especially as we would neither have loved to glorify the authors, nor aggravate whatever situation it seems to highlight, but, on a second thought, and most especially,  to set the records straight - if only for the benefit of many who may be gullible to assume that the statement holds any water, we consider it appropriate and necessary to make this clarification. And we shall go straight to the point without much ado!

It will be recalled that the boundary dispute between Ezemese Community of Ibusa and Ogwashi Uku was the subject matter of litigation in Suit No. A/28/66 between Obi Nkadi Onwordi & 3 others (Plaintiffs) and Obi Izediuno Ezenwani, the then Obi of Ogwashi Ukwu as defendant. On the 22nd day of February 1980, Hon. Justice Ogbobine (rtd) delivered judgment in favour of Ezemese Community of Ibusa, wherein the court declared judgement in favour of Ezemese Community of Ibusa, that the boundary between Ibusa and Ogwashi Ukwu is at UBU STREAM (see page 214, of the judgement of High Court Asaba delivered on the 22nd of February 1980). 

The then Obi of Ogwashi Uku appealed against the judgement at the Court of Appeal Benin City, which further dismissed the appeal for lacking merit. The then Obi of Ogwashi-Uku further went on appeal at the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC 32/1985, and they lost the case. The Supreme Court dismissed the Appeal. 

The question now is which court gave the present Obi of Ogwashi Uku the court order with which he invaded Ibusa land and started the construction of the wall fences and other sundry activities on Ibusa land? 

The Obi of Ogwashi has mobilized his workmen, protected by a large detachment of Policemen from the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 5 Benin City, stationed on Ibusa land next to Admiralty  University of Nigeria Ibusa, and commenced the construction of a long boundary fence on the land and demolition of completed and uncompleted properties belonging to Ibusa community. The construction of this illegal wall fence is on-going day and night, with the Policemen permanently stationed there. A number of youths from Ibusa came out  to stop the exercise and they were resisted by the large number of Policemen therein.

But for the intervention of elders from Ibusa Community who prevailed on the youths to stay back, the Youths would have confronted the Policemen who seem to have taken side with the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch by aiding and abetting the on-going illegality on the land, which could have resulted in bloodshed.

It is sad that the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch resorted to self help after he had instituted two legal actions against Ibusa at Asaba High Courts on the boundary issue and was pursuing another similar case on the location of the Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibusa at a Federal High Court, Abuja. Rather than wait for the outcome of his litigation shopping, he chose to invade the land he is canvassing as belonging to him by forceful and protected entry.

It is necessary to note that while the people of Ogwashi-Uku  have been embarking on a voyage of making spurious allegations that smack of one eager to score a cheap point in a lost argument, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Prof.) Louis Chelunor Nwoboshi, the Obuzor of Igbuzo, and indeed, other foremost stakeholders of Ibusa Kingdom, have all along been mainly concerned with managing the continued disregard by the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch, when the boundary dispute between the two communities has been settled in the Supreme Court’s decision in Suit No. SC 32/1985.  We feel very strongly, too, that the failure to uphold the ruling over time undermines the authority of the judiciary and weakens public confidence in the rule of law.

Suffice to also note that despite the rising tension apparently being orchestrated by the Obi of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom by mobilizing thugs and workmen with the support of large detachment of Police, the people of Igbuzo Community on the other hand, have continued to receive commendations from on-lookers, for maintaining restraint in the face of glaring provocations; and our Leaders remain committed to peaceful and lawful approaches, which are evident in the concurrent calls on Ibusa people both at home and in the diaspora to remain calm, united, and law-abiding.

Be that as it may, our peaceful disposition is not enough to assume that we can be taken for granted because we are neither cowards nor afraid of confronting our problems frontally. We believe strongly in due process and justice, and also realize that our grievances must certainly be addressed through legal and constructive means, so we feel no urge to flex muscles in such situations.

As it stands, as a people with focus, the Ibusa people have both respect and high regard for our neighbours and hate so much to go into any form of war with them, hence at all times, we do our best to stay on the lane of peace and dialogue; and it is in this regard, too, that we chose to channel our appeal to the Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, with a call for him to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and take decisive measures to bring this matter under control as it is capable of escalating and snowballing into avoidable conflict.

Our passionate appeal to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku who has no doubt, refused to comply with the subsisting Supreme Court Ruling, is to allow the completion of the judicial pronouncement by allowing due process to prevail.

We once again wish to say it loud and clear that all we are demanding is the full enforcement of the 1986 Supreme Court judgment, because, it remains the only immediate way to bring a stop to the raging encroachment and innate expansionist tendencies of the current Obi of Ogwashi-Uku that has become the stock in trade of the Ogwashi-Uku King. 

We must be reassured of the protection of the Admiralty University’s legal status, and proactive measures must be taken by requisite authorities to maintain and sustain peace in the area.

While we reaffirm our desire for peaceful coexistence, we wish to also state unequivocally that justice, respect for lawful judgments, and protection of ancestral rights, which remain paramount in every situation, must prevail at all times.

Hon. Patrick Nwankwo 

Head of Admin/Secretary, 

Obuzor of Ibusa Palace.