A son to the Obi of Owa kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area, Delta State, Prince Victor Efeizomor, has cautioned individuals in the community accusing the royal father of land grabbing to desist from tarnishing the image of the revered monarch.
Fielding questions from journalists in Asaba, Prince Efeizomor noted that, as a direct descendant of the Obi, he was in a position to put the record straight against the allegations of land grabbing levelled against his father by some sponsored individuals in the community.
According to him; "For the avoidance of doubt, the Obi of Owa is vested with the traditional authority and competence to approve any transactions pertaining to the alienation of any piece or parcel of land in Owa Oyibu community."
The prince said, the Obi’s authority regarding land matters have been judicially validated at all levels from time immemorial warning individuals disparaging and defaming the office and authority of the Obi to stop forthwith else they will face the wrought of the ancestors.
“The attention of the palace of the Obi of Owa has been drawn to various social media publications sponsored by an identified politician using some youths within and outside Nigeria to disparage and defame the office and authority of the Obi of Owa; claiming that the Obi of Owa is a land grabber in Owa Oyibu, the traditional headquarters of Owa kingdom.
“This press briefing has become necessary to correct this narrative for the interest of Owa indigenes and the general public. In view of the above, the palace of the Obi of Owa shall commence civil, criminal and traditional actions against the culprits of these libellous publications within and outside Nigeria.”
On the reasons behind the actions of the youths, Prince Efeizomor said due to the development that has taken place in Owa kingdom especially the establishment of the University of Delta, Owa Oyibu campus by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, land business is currently booming hence the jobless youths have embarked on land speculations introducing all manners of levies to genuine investors against the authority of Obi.
“These jobless youths have encroached into community and individual lands. Lands that have been mapped out for development have been encroached upon by these set of youths. They also imposed ‘deve’ to any developers which has been abolished by the Delta state government.
“The Obi usually issue certificate of land ownership to streamline land activities in the kingdom due to massive land development as a result of the university campus but these individuals being aided by one Benson Nkeki, self-aclaimed leader of Ahamihun Oyibu, unregistered group, they are using to spill lies and usurp the authority of the Obi of Owa.”
He said these individuals operating under the guise of the unregistered Ahamihun Oyibu have turned rebellious spreading falsehoods among the people of the community, harassing and intimidating the elders.
He reiterated that the Obi of Owa as the overlord and custodian of Owa and tradition reserves the right to allocate land in Owa for the purpose of development.
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