The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, HRM OBI (Dr) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II has given the Admiralty University of Nigeria located on the Ogwashi-Uku- Ibusa Road 30 days to change its address, failing which he would commence legal action against the University.
In a precautionary notice served on the Chairman of the Governing Council, Vice Chancellor, and Registrar of the University by Sir J.O Ojobu & Co, who are lawyers to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and members of the Obi in Council of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, the lawyers detailed their reason for the notice.
In the letter sighted by our correspondent dated 21st of November 2023, Sir J.O Ojobu & Co notified Admiralty University about the anomalies and irregularities in the legislation establishing the University which have made it unconstitutional.
The lawyers pointed out that the constitution of Nigeria has delineated 774 local government areas whose boundaries are inserted into the constitution of the federal government, wherein any designation contrary to the delineation as recognised by the constitution is null and void.
Sir J.O Ojobu attached to the letter a certified map of Delta State with local government boundaries and pointed out that the boundary between Ibusa which is located in Oshimili North Local Government Area and Ogwashi-Uku which is in Aniocha South Local Government Area is the river Oboshi.
This river also forms the natural boundary between the Ogwashi-Uku and Ibusa communities as Admiralty University is uncontestably located in Aniocha South Local Government Area which is a constitutional issue, it cannot be located in Ibusa (Oshimili North local government).
The lawyers to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku pointed out that members of the Ibusa community have leveraged these anomalies to enter into Ogwashi-Uku land and alienate the same with impunity.
When contacted by our correspondent for his feedback, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi the Palace Secretary in Ogwashi-Uku kingdom mentioned that members of the Ogwashi-Uku community would not continue to tolerate any further breach of the constitution and claim to their farmland by the Ibusa community.
According to him, the former Delta State Commissioner of Lands, Mrs Kate Onianwa, who is the sister of Fred Ajudua is from Ibusa and did not aid matters by her position on the issue.
He continued: “Additionally, the land given to Admiralty University was forcefully seized by Admiral Ezeoba who was from Ibusa and he used military men to intimidate members of the Ogwashi-Uku community”.
The Palace Secretary stated that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku being an academic with a doctorate degree in Economics was not opposed to the University but wanted to ensure that the address and other legislation properly reflected the true and correct location of the University.
He also warned members of the Ibusa community currently trespassing on Ogwashi-Uku land to stay away from the land.
He noted the continuous presence of gunmen who were brought by Ibusa people to intimidate farmers and said that those days of criminality, forceful dispossession of their land and outright banditry would soon be over.
