DELTA COMMUNITY LAND CONTROVERSY: Concerned Ubulu-Uku Citizens Decry Betrayal

The controversy between the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and people of Aniagbala-Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State over land ownership is taking another turn as some concerned citizens of Ubulu-Uku have alleged high level conspiracy and betrayal by some Ubulu-Uku chiefs.

The group of concerned citizens who craved anonymity (for now) said in a statement at the weekend that it has been revealed that Citizens encroachment into Aniagbala which is an Ubulu-Uku territory was as a result of an alleged deal with some Ubulu-Uku chiefs some months ago.

It has been revealed that because of the alleged deal that runs into hundreds of millions, the chiefs involved have chosen to ignore the destruction of buildings, cash crops, plantations, forceful grabbing of land at Aniagbala by agents of the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch who is laying claim to ownership of the land known as Uzor-Okwuabani in Aniagbala.

Rather than address the issue in line with prevailing historical evidence relating to the land, one of the Ubulu-Uku chiefs James Onwordi Asika on February 26, 2025 had reportedly taken to the social media to eulogize the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch as a man of peace and integrity after what they called a peace meeting to resolve the controversy. The so called meeting was said to have taken place at Pinnacle Hotel, Asaba.

Contrary to existing history that dates back to 18th Century when the Aniagbala settlement was founded by no fewer than three Illustrious sons of Ubulu-Uku, the Monarch who is currently joined as a defendant in a Suit No. 0/12/2025 filed by Aniagbala community at the High Court, Ogwashi-Uku, is strongly laying claim that Aniagbala is not a village in Ubulu-Uku.

He seems to have his strong backing from some Ubulu-Uku chiefs who have allegedly compromised their position obviously to the detriment of Aniagbala village which is traditionally and customarily a part of Ubulu-Uku answerable to the Ubulu-Uku monarch.

In the suit filed at the High Court of Justice, Ogwashi-Uku by two elders of Aniagbala-Ubulu-Uku, namely Messrs Charles Ejiofor and Jerry Isichei for themselves and on behalf of members of Aniagbala Family of Ubulu-Uku, against Obi Okonjo and Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, they claim that the land in dispute known as Uzor Okwuabani is located within the Aniagbala village.

They posited that Aniagbala village was founded in 1700 by three hunters from Ubulu-Uku and these were Emordi Okeleke from Agbonta Idumu-ede quarters, Nwaogboli Ofulue from Agbonta Umuozoma quarters and Elue Eziokwu from Abuedo quarters.

They had settled at Aniagbala to deforest it, cultivate farm, hunt and settle there. They lived there with their families before they passed on and the land subsequently became an inheritance to their succeeding generations up to the present time spanning about 325 years.

As a village in Ubulu-Uku, Aniagbala is headed by an elder who is the custodian of all communal land held in common by the family/village. As a village within the larger Ubulu-Uku community, Aniagbala residents and head are all subjects of Ubulu-Uku monarch and the royal palace.

According to the claimants (Aniagbala residents), the village does not share any boundary with Umudei quarters of Ogwashi-Uku where the Monarch hails but rather with Idumu Osume quarters of Ubulu-Uku, Agidiehe quarters of Ogwashi-Uku and Ubulu-Okiti town.

The Aniagbala community stated that sometime in November, 2024 agents of the Ogwashi-Uku Monarch trespassed on their land, using bulldozers to create access roads within the farm lands without their consent.

The Monarch’s alleged hired thugs had chased away Aniagbala members from their farmlands and used the bulldozers to damage buildings, crops like cassava, plantains, other cash crops and palm plantations.

The case has been fixed for hearing on Friday 30th May, 2025.