• Asserts, we subscribe to 2018 boundary demarcation as directed by HRM Oba Ewuare II
From our news desk, Benin
In a lingering boundary dispute, the people of Ekoken Village in Uhunmwode local Government area of Edo State, recently in media publications both online and print; celebrated an Appeal Court decision said to be in their favour against their neighbour; the people of Igueosagie Village.
But swiftly in reaction, the people of Igueosagie Village condemned the celebration saying; the information circulated was not only untrue, but misleading for deliberate ulterior motive.
Through their Odionwere (Village Head), Evbaru Edionwere, they told journalists in Benin on Monday, that the substantive suit is still pending in Ehor High Court, the administrative headquarters of Uhunmwode Council Area.
They explained that against them, the people of Ekoken filed a restraining injunction order in the Abudu High court presided over by Justice Eboriemen; seeking that both parties maintain the status quo until the substantive suit is treated and disposed of.
"We did not wait for the substantive suit to be treated and disposed of, and we filed an appeal at the Appeal Court.
"But because we have been asked by the Palace to withdraw all legal suits in court, we did not attend the appeal hearing hence it was struck out recently.
"As we speak, the substantive suit is still pending in Court at Ehor. So, the information being peddled by the people of Ekoken and documents displayed are all false and misleading.
"As far as we are concerned, we subscribe to the resolution of the Palace of Oba Ewuare II which ordered the demarcation of the boundary between us; Ekoken and Igueosagie people.
"In defiance of the Oba Ewuare II resolution and directive that all suits in court should be withdrawn to enable the Palace again intervene, Ekoken people have sold a portion of our land measuring about two miles to one Kokon Ogbeide, who in turn sold it to a Chinese oil and gas company."
Further, they said Ogbeide first approached them for the land offering to pay the sum of N90m which we rejected, demanding N1bn.
"When he thought the money we asked was too much for him to pay; he went to negotiate with the people of Ekoken.
"The land in question includes 1,000 plots belonging to Oba Ewuare II, Ogbeide bought from Ekoken people and has sold to the Chinese oil and gas company.
"This prompted us to go back to inform the Palace of the Oba and we were directed to withdraw all legal suits in court to enable the Palace intervention.
"Now, they are using armed security operatives to terrorise us even as we no longer have land for farming."
Continuing; they emphasised that in 2018, both neighbours were in agreement when the boundary demarcation took place and today; the location is known as 'Boundary road' running from Igueosagie to by-pass at the federal highway, and across.
As they added; contrary to the claim of Ekoken people, the 'Iyanuwu' (moat natural feature) is not the boundary as there are several moats in the area.
Osakpomwan Omoragbon, Okaighele of Igueosagie Village also speaking corroborated the narrative of the Odionwere.
They consequently warn that all property buyers and developers should beware.
As they appeal to the Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II and all relevant government authorities to come to their aide as 'a stitch in time saves nine'!
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