Petitions against Iyase of  Ogwashi-Uku Withdrawn at Delta Commission of Inquiry

*Oborevwori sues for dialogue between oil firms, host communities

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The fact-finding on the kingship and land disputes within Ogwashi-Uku and neighbouring communities continued yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry instituted by the Delta State Government into the various disputes.
At the event, there was the withdrawal of petitions relating to the Iyase title of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom, as held by Chief Mike Chukwuka Nwaukoni.
he withdrawal followed an oral application by Counsel to Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo, Prince Chike Onyemenam (SAN) based on the fact that the issue of Iyaseship title of Ogwashi-Uku was not in the terms of reference of the seven-man commission.
Ruling on the application, which was not opposed by counsel to the Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku and the Agidiase community, Chief Efe Akpofure (SAN) Chairman of the Commission, Justice Ejiro Emudianowho, struck out petitions number JP1/2024/001, JPI/2024/014 and JPI/2024/024, filed by the Ogwashi-Uku monarch against the Iyase Nwaukoni, the traditional prime minister.
Following persistent references to the Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku during cross-examination of a witness to the Agidiase community, Francis Okolie, by Counsel to the Umu-Igbeke and Umu-Uti families, H. T. Ogidi, Counsel to the Iyase, Chief  Akpofure, requested that all paragraphs referring to the Iyase in all affidavits be expunged, which was granted.
In his evidence, the witness to the Agidiase community, Francis Okolie Esq, attributed the crisis in Ogwashi-Uku to the alleged annexation of the community and family lands by the Ogwashiu-Uku king, contrary to the customs and tradition of Ogwashi-Uku.
He cited the appointment of Okuabani, which hitherto was the exclusive preserve of the Iyase, but which the Obi allegedly unilaterally hijacked without recourse to the selection process reserved for the communities making the appointment..
The witness deposed to a 16-paragrsph affidavit, including a survey plan of Agidiahe, Ogbe-Onicha and Ogbe-Ishagbe quarters,, as well as proofs of alleged land sales with documents bearing the Obi’s signature, which were admitted as exhibits by the panel
However, under cross-examination, H. T. Ogidi tendered a judgement delivered by Justice Z. A. Smith of the State High Court, which vested ownership of Ogwashi-Uku Lands  on the Obi as trustee, which was also admitted as an exhibit

H. T. Ogidi also submitted that chieftainy titles in Ogwashi-Uku could only be conferred on deserving persons by the Obi.

Meanwhile, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has urged oil companies and host communities to guide against resorting to violent and bitter confrontation but to opt for dialogue approach in resolving disputes.

The governor gave the advice yesterday when the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, led by Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor, Chevron International, Exploration and Production for Africa Region, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, called on him at Government House, Asaba.

While congratulating Brikinn on his new appointment, Oborevwori urged his successor to diligently understudy the operations and relationship with host communities and stakeholders in order to sustain the tempo of performance in Chevron operations.

Oborevwori said:  “I believe you must have understanding of the terrain you operate. Chevron has been managing the place for a long time. It didn’t start today.

“My advice to the man who is taking over from you, is to go and look at the history of Chevron. I will not allow any community to go and shut down any of the oil stations. It’s something that I will not take; they know I will not take it.

“I will not allow the oil companies to also oppress our people. They must keep to the MoU because when you keep to it, it also helps. The most important thing that would make you succeed is your engagement with the people and create a lot of awareness.

“It is only good that you dialogue than confrontation. I believe in dialogue than confrontation. So your coming here, I am very happy. It shows that we will work together and that there is understanding between the government and the company.”

Earlier, Brikinn commended the governor for his leadership, community engagement as well as efforts to stabilise the Niger Delta region, which has benefited Chevron’s operations and the state and country’s economy.

He said that Delta State was home to Chevron having operated in the State for over 50 years and thanked Oborevwori for the support to Chevron and other oil companies operating in the state.

He emphasised on Chevron’s impact on local communities through job creation and contracting opportunities, as well as the company’s intention to deepen the relationships.

“It’s not been very easy doing business and I can tell you the Governor of Delta State has been instrumental to ensuring that we continue to sustain our operations here. If you look at the area of activities in the oil industry today,

“Chevron is one of the very few international oil companies that still fully sustains operations on land in the near offshore area, and in the deep water area.  The governor has been a very strong supporter in this story that I have just painted.

“It could sound so easy but to sustain your operations where others are struggling to stay afloat tells a great story of the kind of support that we get from the government and the entire government of Delta State.

“We recognise the fact that our operations here bring significant revenue to the state by way of taxes but, of course, that’s secondary.

“The willingness to ensure that there is always peace to grow it goes beyond whatever revenue that will come because where there is peace, then you can think about expansion and that is what we continue to enjoy from the kind of support that we get from the Delta State government.

“Our presence here brings significant returns to the communities where we operate and we are looking forward to ensuring that we improve on those relationships.

“We are very optimistic that my successor will continue to keep that mantle and sustain that relationship in a way that will not disappoint stakeholders.”