Opinion: Fact-Checks On Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) Over False Claims on Itsekiri Land and the Warri Kingdom

On April 12, 2025, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, made several false, skewed, and provocative claims concerning some Itsekiri communities and the Warri Kingdom at large. These unfounded assertions, if left unchecked, could incite unrest within the Warri South West area. As a peace loving people, the Itsekiri Historical Front has taken it upon itself to fact-check, expose, and correct his misleading utterances.

Historically, Tompolo lacks both scholarly and traditional understanding of the migration patterns that brought the Ijaw people from Gabon to the Niger Delta let alone the deeper context of their movement from Rivers State / Bayelsa to present-day Warri South West. His attempt to rewrite history is not only cynical but also inaccurate and dangerous.

It is a matter of public record that the first Gbara man to settle in the Escravos River area was Osako, grandson of Gbara and son of Ogbeyema, in the early 19th century. The kingship in Gbaramatu was only instituted in 2017. The current Pere of Gbaramatu is the first ever to be crowned within Itsekiri land.

It is disheartening that in 2025, individuals like Tompolo still lay claim to lands that the Itsekiri have won legal victories over, even up to the Supreme Court level. He has also encroached into areas like Obodo Community which has no Ijaw fishing camp presence or historical ties. These claims by Tompolo lack any legal, historical, or cultural foundation and have been refuted repeatedly in both court rulings and historical records.

Take, for example, Okerenghigho (wrongly referred to as Okerenkoko by the Ijaw), home to the Marine Dockyard and Nigerian Maritime University. This area is legally and historically recognized as Omadino (Itsekiri) land. In Suit No. W/30/1962: Chief E. E. Sillo & Ors (for the Omadino people) vs. James Uluba & Ors, the court ruled in favor of the Itsekiri people.

On October 3, 1969, the court declared:

> “I am satisfied that the village land Okerenghigho… falls within the area described in the claim in Suit No. W/29/51… Although it will now be superfluous to grant a declaration of possessory title of ownership to the plaintiffs… I hereby grant it as claimed in respect of Okerenghigho.”

The Ijaw appealed to the Supreme Court (SC/294/70), but the appeal was dismissed on January 31, 1973, by Justices Elias C.J., Sowemimo, and Ibekwe affirming Itsekiri ownership.

Similarly, the community of Kpokpo belongs to the Itsekiri people of Ugborodo, as upheld in judicial decisions:

MCC/4/71: Godspower Okoturoh (Itsekiri) vs. Ogbaburo (Ijaw)

MCC/37/71: Godspower Okoturoh (Itsekiri) vs. Burutu (Ijaw)

Furthermore, Oporoza the current headquarters of the Gbaramatu clan and Tompolo’s residence is located within Ugborodo (Itsekiri) land. Judicial and historical evidence confirms that the Ijaws settled there with Itsekiri permission. In Suit No. W/124/76: Babine Ereku & Ors (Itsekiri) vs. Osuke Akonu & Ors, the court affirmed this status. The second set of defendants the Oboro, Gbajor, and Nehi families of Benikrukru are descendants of Fifowei, son of Osako (Ijaw), who migrated from Gbaran fewer than 200 years ago.

The court stated:

> “I accept the evidence that Oboro, Gbajo and Nehi… were permitted by the Ugborodo (Itsekiri) people to settle at Uton-Ima, later renamed Oporoza… I totally reject the traditional history put forth by the second set of defendants (the Ijaw) tracing their descendants from Ijo from the Middle East.”

We strongly caution all parties including Mr. Collins Eselomo, a Bomadi man lacking historical knowledge of Warri to desist from spreading misinformation and inciting division. These matters are well documented and settled. Respect for historical and legal facts is non-negotiable.

The continued attempts to distort history and annex Itsekiri land through groups like Tantita only threaten the fragile peace in the Niger Delta. We remain committed to truth, justice, and peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups.

We further call on the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) president Jonathan Lokpobiri to refrain from meddling in issues he does not understand. The Ijaw have a well-documented history of aggressive land acquisition often through violence and this must not be tolerated under any guise.

Our message is clear for the general public and the Federal Government of Nigeria:

In Warri South, there is no Ijaw community and there never will be. You cannot convert market stalls or fishing camps into communities overnight.

We hereby call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and prevent a looming crisis in Warri, by upholding truth, law, and national unity.

Signed,

Comr. Lily-white O. Esigbone

Chairman

Itsekiri Historical front

Mr. Oritsegbubemi Adrian Edema

President, Itsekiri Historical Front

United Kingdom (UK)

Mr. Silva Samuel Maku

Secretary

Itsekiri Historical front

Mr. Oritseweyiologbara Kwame Woode

P.R.O

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