LAND DISPUTES AT IBADA-AMUKPE COMMUNITY RESOLVED.

By Etatsemi Onoriode

A protracted Land Dispute amongst the people of Ibada Amukpe Community
in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State has been amicably
resolved by the members of a committee and the Duke in Council Amukpe
District.

The land dispute at Ibada Amukpe community between Hon Paul Umukoro,
for himself and on behalf of Ibada Amukpe community, the plaintiff
Daniel Kokogho, for himself and on behalf of the children of late
Chief Kokogho, the president and exco members of Ovwore Amukpe
community defendants was delivered by the Duke in council, Amukpe
district.

After the close of the case, panel  members visited the said land for
inspection along with representative of parties were the following
findings were observed, the whole area covered  by  the survey plan of
the defendant has signs to show it was an old camp where people dwell
before, there are economic trees (coconut trees, rubber trees) well
for water etc at the place, but both parties laid claim to the place,
there are also relies like broken bottle, broken plates (damage)
shells (old pits) in the place which confirmed  the place to be an old
camp, an old site for shrine was also identified, all that went to the
bush stood at various portions they claimed belonged to their late
father’s /grand fathers living just the portion where the old shrine
is located, saying that, that is where late Okotie lived and practiced
his herbal profession and where Kokogho stayed with him.

The panel later carefully considered the evidence of both parties,
vis-a-vis what was seen at the bush and concluded as follows, since
there is evidence to show that people once lived at the place at Oko
(village) it is therefore improper for Ovwore community to approve
such a piece of land that is (40 plots) for an individually/family at
the approval is against the constitution of the Amukpe district which
forbid this.

The  panel also resolved that the said deed of grant is therefore null
and void and of no effect, noting also that the land caretakers were
not involved in the granting of the deed.

Members of the panel include Chief P.E. Asagba (Duke) chairman Chief
M. Asagba, member chief John Erhitobor (member) Chief E.M Odebala
member, Mr Godday Okpako member, Mr Peter Smart Amukpe district P.G
and Samuel Ifude also member.

A prominent member of the community Ambassador Kelly Igho Erute
secretary Ibada- Amukpe also advised perpetrators and investors to
stay away from Ibada family land known as Okuokoko which is the
ancestral home of the people of Ibada and that there should be no
trespass of any kind