Omadino owns the land hosting Utonana, Markaraba Oil Fields – Yomere insists

People of Omadino Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has insisted that Okenghigho, Bakokodia, including the land hosting Utonana and Markaraba Oil Fields of Chevron Nigeria Limited, belong to Omadino Community.

The Public Relations Officer of Omadino Community Management Committee, Mr. Armstrong Omaretsuli Yomere, in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International today, Thursday April 15, on behalf of people of Omadino, stressed that the entire area land mass was won in a land dispute case in Suit No. W/29/1949: Between Emmanuel Edema Sillo (M) and Edoneyemoda Golley (M) on behalf of themselves and the people of Omadino as Plaintiffs  and Adurumokumor (M) on behalf of himself and the people of Bakokodia as Defendant.

He stated that the judgement was delivered in favour of the plaintiffs in 1951, with 20 pounds damages against the defendant, for infringement of the plaintiffs’ rights, saying it was published in the Nigeria Law Report N.L.R.

Yomere, urged both the Federal and Delta State Governments to enforce the Supreme Court judgement of 1951, by recognizing the legitimate names of the two communities, “wrongly called Kokodiagbene and Okerenkoko to their original names as declared by the Supreme Court judgement”, threatening to sue, “Chevron and Federal Government for Contempt, if the original names are not immediately reversed”.

According to the Omadino Community Image Maker, since 1951 when the judgment was delivered by the Supreme Court, government has yet to enforce total compliance, expressing dismay over the disrespect exhibited towards judgements by competent court of law.

Yomere, who responded to an online publication by Alex Bubor, said: “Bubor should stop displaying ignorance of history and facts. He should consult his elders and be told how his forefathers, came to settle at their present location, took permission from Chanomi and Omadino elders, before they were allowed to settle in our lands.

"Ownership of those parcel of lands, river and resources were determined about 70 years ago, we won't join issues with any external person or persons that are not from Omadino territory as our land case, has been settled and it is a thing of the past. We remain resolute in taking what belongs to us as law abiding community and people, therefore that part of Gbaramatu Ijaw should respect ownership right as delivered accordingly by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

"It is known fact that Omadino owns the whole land-spread as decided by the Supreme Court pre-independence. Both past and present administrations in Nigeria and even the International Oil Company operating in the area, know that they are in Omadino land and Warri Kingdom territory,  Markaraba is not a family name but the oil field.

"Without Omadino as the chief host to Chevron Nigeria Limited, whose oil spillage and facilities have affected our waters, ecosystem and businesses, they won't be any JIV in the affected area.

“We don’t have problem with Gbaramatu Ijaw, we know their usual antics of burning down our communities, kidnapping among others. We are watching with keen interest. We rely on government to protect lives and properties, our anger is with Chevron operating in our land”. 

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