OGWASHI-UKU, NEIGHBORS KINGSHIP/LAND DISPUTES – Commission of Inquiry Urges Counsels To Be Time Conscious

The Commission of Inquiry into the kingship and land ownership disputes within Ogwashi-Uku and the neighboring communities has called on Counsels to the parties to diligently pursue their cases to ensure expedited conclusion of its assignment.

The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Ejiro Emudianowho, who made the call at the resumed sitting of the Commission, said time was of essence and as such Counsels should be prepared and ready with their witnesses on the days fixed for oral presentations.

Justice Emudainowho commended the various parties and their legal representatives for their peaceful conduct and urged them to continue in that stead as the inquiries progressed.

At today’s sitting of the Commission, a petitions marked JPI 2024/002 filed by the Ihonor of Ogwashi-Uku, Chief Hyacinth Afamefuna Okolie was filed.

The petitioner, who was led in evidence by his Counsel, Chief Efe Akpofure, SAN, said the petition was in respect of Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo’s claim to hold Obobo community land in trust for the people, based on which he allegedly bulldozed the said land. 

He made a written deposition to substantiate his claim which was tendered and admitted as exhibit by the Commission.

Under cross examination, Counsel to Obi Okonjo, Mr. Chike Onyemenam, SAN, drew the attention of  the petitioner to a subsisting Court judgement which conferred the land ownership right on the Obi . 

The petitioner however, denied knowledge of the said judgement, a copy of which was tendered and admitted as exhibit.

In another petition, Prince Ikechukwu Okonjor alleged that the ascendency to the throne of Ogwashi-Uku was through primogeniture and that he was the rightful person to be the Obi by virtue of his being the eldest son of his late father

The petitioner, through his Counsel, Albert Akpomudje SAN, tendered the petition and all the supporting affidavits to substantiate his claim which were admitted as exhibits. 

Counsel to the Traditional Ruler of Ogwashi-Uku, Mr Chike Onyemenam, SAN, who cross examined the petitioner asked if he was aware of a pending suit on the kingship tussle, which he, the petitioner earlier filed in a state High Court. 

Counsel to the petitioner , Albert Akpomudje, SAN, also drew the attention of the Commission to the issue of eligibility of the incumbent Obi to the throne following the emergence of fresh information about his conviction in a foreign land.  

Hearing continues tomorrow