MAJOR SETBACK FOR IBUSA AS COURT REFUSES EXECUTION ORDER, STRENGTHENS OGWASHI-UKU’S POSITION IN LAND BATTLE

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, on behalf of the people of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, has recorded what community leaders have described as a significant legal victory in the long-running land dispute involving the Esemese Community of Ibusa.

In a ruling delivered on 15 June 2026 in Suit No. A/M/62/2015, the Delta State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Flora Ngozi Azinge, declined the principal application by the Esemese Community of Ibusa seeking an order for the execution of the judgment arising from the earlier litigation between the parties.

The applicants, through their counsel, Barrister P. U. Lotobi, had sought, among other reliefs, an order permitting the execution of the judgment and the substitution of several deceased parties to the proceedings. While the Court granted the applications relating to the substitution of deceased parties in the Esemese community, it declined the principal relief seeking an order of execution.

The Court also approved the substitution of the late HRM Obi Professor Chukwuka Okonjo with the present Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, who is represented in the proceedings by Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN.

The ruling marks an important development in a dispute that has its origins in earlier litigation in Suit No. A/28/66.
According to the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, concerns had previously arisen over the interpretation of the litigation survey plan associated with the Supreme Court judgment. The Kingdom maintained that attempts had been made to rely on a survey plan that differed from the original litigation survey relied upon by the Court.

Following applications by the Ogwashi-Uku community before the Supreme Court, the Kingdom states that the Court restored the original litigation survey plan forming part of the earlier proceedings. In the present proceedings, the High Court further directed that a registered surveyor interpret the litigation survey plan.

Leaders of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom have welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important safeguard against what they contend were attempts to extend the earlier judgment beyond the land actually litigated.

Speaking after the ruling, the Chief of Aboh Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Barrister Jude Obidi, described the decision as a landmark development and that the boundary between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa remains at the Oboshi River.
According to him, the ruling reinforces the principle that court judgments must be enforced strictly within the boundaries of the land actually determined by the courts and not beyond them.

He further noted that the broader boundary dispute between Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa remains pending before the Delta State High Court in a separate action instituted by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku to determine the precise boundary between the two neighbouring communities.

Chief Obidi commended the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku for what he described as his steadfast commitment to protecting the territorial interests of the Kingdom through lawful means and the judicial process.

The latest ruling is expected to have significant implications for future attempts to enforce the earlier judgment pending the final determination of the boundary dispute between both communities. With this ruling, the claims by Ibusa for the areas around Admiralty University have been thrown into serious doubt.

The Palace of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku through the Chief of Staff to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Onyema Okonjo when contacted welcomed the rejection of the request by the Ibusa community by the Delta State High Court in Ogwashi-Uku but also maintained that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku reserves the right to seek appellate review of any portion of the ruling it wasn’t happy with. He also cautioned members of the Ibusa community from resorting to self help in using thugs and attempting to enter Ogwashi-Uku land any further to make illegal claims outside any court approved enforcement.

MAJOR SETBACK FOR IBUSA AS COURT REFUSES EXECUTION ORDER, STRENGTHENS OGWASHI-UKU’S POSITION IN LAND BATTLE

Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-Fearing Leaders to Tackle Corruption, Drive National Progress

By: Michael Mike

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said Nigeria’s quest for sustainable development and good governance depends largely on the emergence of leaders guided by the fear of God, arguing that the country’s socio-economic challenges stem from a deficit of integrity and moral leadership.

The governor made the remarks on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt while receiving the World President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Erton Köhler, alongside his wife, Andriene Marques Köhler, their daughter, Mariana Marques Köhler, and other senior church officials.

Fubara said leaders who are conscious of their accountability before God would be less inclined to abuse public trust, noting that the absence of such values has fuelled corruption, inequality, poverty and rising criminality across the country.

“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God,” the governor said. “If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line, and that is what has brought us to where we are today.”

He praised the Seventh-day Adventist Church for its long-standing investment in education, describing its schools and universities as critical platforms for nurturing competent and morally upright future leaders.

According to the governor, the church’s commitment to education demonstrates that religion should extend beyond preaching and denominational identity to making tangible contributions to national development through human capital development.

Fubara noted that by establishing and sustaining educational institutions, the church has continued to support Nigeria’s efforts to produce graduates equipped with knowledge, character and leadership values.

“We need the right people being in the right place, prepared properly with good minds. That is what we need, not just in Nigeria but around the whole world,” he said.

The governor also linked many of the country’s security and economic challenges to weak social welfare systems, stressing that citizens are less likely to resort to crime when they have access to quality education, affordable healthcare, decent wages and opportunities for a secure future.

He advocated a system where average-income earners can educate their children, access quality healthcare and own homes after years of productive service, insisting that such conditions would significantly reduce insecurity and other social vices.

Fubara thanked the church delegation for visiting Rivers State and for praying for the state, assuring them of his administration’s continued support for their activities.

Speaking earlier, Köhler said he was in Nigeria for a major church conference that would bring together thousands of Seventh-day Adventist ministers for leadership and empowerment training aimed at strengthening their pastoral work and service to society.

He expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded his delegation by the Rivers State Government, describing the visit as one that would remain memorable.

The church leader also highlighted the global reach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, revealing that it has more than 24 million members and over 182,000 places of worship spread across 212 countries and territories worldwide.

Fubara: Nigeria Needs God-Fearing Leaders to Tackle Corruption, Drive National Progress

Troops Prevent Fulani Reprisal attack after Rustling of Livestock by Suspected Local Militia in Mangu in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have repelled suspected Fulani Bandits during a rapid response operation following reports of sporadic gunfire around Banasu High Ground in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:52 p.m. on July 2, when troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, deployed at Gyambwas, received reports of intermittent shootings around the Banasu High Ground.

Security sources said that the planned attack was in response to previous attack on hardees and rustling of their livestock by Militia men in Mangu.

Acting swiftly on the distress report, the troops moved to the area and engaged the armed criminals in a firefight.

According to the sources, the superior firepower of the troops forced the assailants to abandon their mission and retreat towards the surrounding high ground.

No casualties were reported among the troops during the encounter.

Security sources said the troops have sustained surveillance and monitoring of the area, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent any further attacks.

The operation forms part of ongoing security efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to prevent any armed militia activities and enhance security across Plateau State.

Troops Prevent Fulani Reprisal attack after Rustling of Livestock by Suspected Local Militia in Mangu in Plateau