Court judgment affirmed our ownership of Ugbomeji, Ugogoegin -Ifiekporo Community

The people of Ifie-kporo Community in Warri South Local Government Area, have dismissed Egbokodo’s claim of Ugbomeji and Ugogoegin lands, saying the High Court of Justice; Holden at Warri, had in suit no: W/95/1958, legally affirmed: “Ifiekporo community’s ownership of Ugbomeji and Ugogoegin lands.”

Fresh Angle International, can report that Elders’ Council of Ifiekporo Community, made the assertion during a press briefing held at Ifiekporo Town Hall, Tuesday December 10.

The Deputy Olare-Aja of Ifiekporo Community, Pa Michael Domino, who addressed the press on behalf of the community, advised: “Egbokodo should resist the lure by some agents of underdevelopment and darkness, to go into needless dispute with Ifiekporo community, due to their greed and personal interests.”

Pa. Domino, recalled: “We are constrained to respond to the unfounded claims of Egbokodo with reference to a court judgement in favour of Ifiekporo community in 1958 over the two islands. 

“In a case between Ifiekporo Community (Plaintiff) vs Egbokodo Community (Defendants) in Suit No. W/95/1958 in the High Court of Justice: Holden at Warri before the Honourable Justice Rhodes-Vivour, the learned Judge said, “I am not satisfied that the lst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, trespassed on the Ugbomeji land. I am left with the impression that the lst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants believed all along that the Ugogo-Egin camp was the subject of the plaintiffs' claim. Evidence has been led as to how the plaintiff’s forefather Ejoki occupied the Ugbomeji land many years ago. 

Pa. Francis Eyifoma (middle) fielding questions from newsmen, while Amb. Peter Ede (left) & others observe

“The learned Judge went on, ‘I am satisfied that the plaintiffs are in possession of the land and have always been in possession of it. Their village, Ifie, is according to the Surveyor about a mile away from it. They have their farms on both sides of the footpaths leading from Ifie village to the land. They also have their jujus and fishing huts on the land.

“We are a peaceful and law-abiding community. Whilst we do not take what does not belong to us, we will also not let another take what belongs to us. The people of Egbokodo community should be well guided by the law.”

From Left: Prince Felix Mogbiyiteren, Pa. Francis Eyifoma, Pa. Jala Nami, Pa. Michael Domino & Dele Nami

“The immediate past Trust Chairman of Ifie-Kporo Community, Amb. Peter Ede, who also spoke during the media briefing, disclosed that during his tenure, issue of the land dispute arose and it was addressed by the then Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

Amb. Ede, cautioned youths of Egbokodo to be careful over the matter, calling on the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Comrade Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac and the Delta State Government, to address the lingering issues before it snowballs into crisis.

Other members of the Elders’ Council of Ifiekporo Community, such as Pa. Jala Nami and Pa. Francis Eyifoma, emphasized that the case against Egbokodo, between 1958 and 1964, was settled in favour of Ifiekporo community, under Justice Rhodes Vivour.

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