Uvwie king lauds judiciary over protracted land dispute judgement against army

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

HRM, Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta has lauded the judiciary over the recent land dispute judgement between the kingdom and the Nigerian Army.

King Sideso addressed newsmen on Wednesday at his palace in Effurun shortly after an appreciation rally in some parts of Effurun in the kingdom.

It will be recalled that on Monday, an Effurun High Court presided over by Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman declared “null and void” the purported acquisition by the Nigerian Army parts of Ohore 1 community land in Uvwie.

Harriman while delivering judgment in suit No. EHC/41/2014, also declared the invasion of Ohore 1 Community land by the Nigerian Army as “trespass”.

The judge, however, fined the Army N1 million saying the Ohore people were entitled to the statutory right of occupancy in respect of the entire land in exhibit CL3 presented before the court.

The royal father, consequently declared that those who acquired plots of land through the Nigerian Army would renegotiate their ownership title or remove their structures.

He said that the Uvwie Kingdom had to seek redress in the court after a series of peaceful resolutions with the Nigerian Army had failed.

According to him, about 60 years ago, the Federal Government requested for land to build the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), adding that the kingdom generously released an expanse of land the purpose.

The traditional ruler said that rather than using the land for the purpose it was officially released, only about 40 per cent of the land was legally acquired while others were being sold by the Army and used for commercial purposes.

“We were generous enough when the Federal Government requested that they wanted to build NDA and we graciously gave out some portions of our land for public use, “I re-emphasised, for public use”.

“Unfortunately, they went beyond what we gave them, this led to what I cannot call a crisis because we invited and made a series of resolutions with them without success.

“My people have no land to farm now. Is it a bad thing to bring educational development to Uvwie Kingdom, that was the reason we gave out the land to the government. NDA is not only for Uvwie people, Delta State but the entire Nigerians.

“We thank God for our generous mind, but the Army took us for a ride selling the land to corporate organisations and individuals. They encroached into villages, destroying crops and threatening lives,

“We decided to toe the part of peace otherwise, there would have been a bloodbath. You do not toy with Uvwie people. I say it clearly, do not tempt us, otherwise, you will see the other side of us.

“We have done a lot to bring peace to this community. By toeing the part of peace, we decide to approach the Judiciary which is the last hope of the common man and today, we have gotten justice,” he said.

King Sideso said that with the judgment, the Nigerian Army had given the land back to the Uvwie Kingdom.

The Uvwie monarch urged his subjects to be peaceful and law-abiding always assuring them that all Uvwie land would be recovered to them.

The royal father expressed displeasure over the attitude of some of his subjects who also illegally acquired parts of the land through the Nigerian Army adding that such persons must write an “application to consider their eligibility as Uvwie sons or daughters”.

“We are fighting a just cause. For you to have a case against the Army and go behind, you are a traitor and a betrayer.

“Your people are being marginalised, you are colluding with the Army to treat your people like that, the gods of Uvwie will worry those people so that they will learn,” he said.

The royal father thanked the journalists for their support thus far in the struggle.

“We appreciate your struggle, help and support, thank you very much,” the royal father said.