The people of Oleh community in Isoko South local government area of Delta State, have commended the Delta State government on the steps taken so far in promoting peace between land owners families from Ozoro and Oleh communities.
They appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to correct the grave errors and complaints by Oleh land owners on the state government white paper, before the delineation of the boundary mark for both communities.
The statement is contained in a press release by the president general of Oleh community, Comr. Chief Believe Alakri during a press conference held at Oleh civic center, Isoko South local government area.
Alakri who debunked a press release by the president general of Ozoro Progressive Union on 12th of June, 2023 on the caption: “Ozoro / Oleh boundary: Ozoro PG Calls on Delta Government to implement White Paper to douse rising tension”, noted that Oleh community leadership did not bother to respond as it was mindful of not heightening tension between the two communities over the land boundary dispute between both communities.
He said, the white paper plan submitted by the technical team of the Commission of Inquiry had disturbing developments and the land owners families of Oleh community drew the attention of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in a later on 12th of October 2022, over ceding areas where Oleh land owners optained judgement to the Ozoro Land owner families.
He maintained that the state government failed to respond to the letter by Oleh land owners families, just as the land owners families approached the high court of Delta State to seek redress in suit no. HCO/54/2022, and justice in areas complained of in the said white paper.
Alakri said, “the high court in it’s wisdom restrained the Delta State government and Ozoro Land owners families from any delineation of the boundary mark for both communities pending the hearing of the case’.
Contuining he said, “On the 12th day of June, 2023 the Ozoro community in flagrant disregard of the court order, mobilized earth moving equipment to the disputed areas and began clearing same in what the Ozoro community president general calls “Community development project – creating of access roads in Ozoro by the Ozoro community”.
Alakri noted that the act admitted by the president general of Ozoro community, is an affront to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction and likely to cause a breach of the peace with intent to provoke communal crisis between Oleh and Ozoro communities.
He maintained that, it is a disregard to the Delta State government for the Ozoro community leadership to attempt to implement the White Paper on their own while the matter is still subjudice.
The Oleh president general bemoaned the murder of the Oleh 12 people, murdered in cold blood on 16th October, 2020 still lying in the mortuary, just as he said, the Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush that belongs to Oleh land owners families has been taken over by men employed by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili, president of Ozoro community working on the land while the Ozoro community vigilante fully armed, provided security.
Alakri called on the commissioner of Police, Delta State and Inspector General of Police to call the area command, Ozoro Area Command, to be neutral and impartial in the discharge of his duties as there is a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction to which there is no appeal.
-See press statement below:
PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF OLEH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNION (OCDU) COMRADE (CHIEF) BELIEVE ALAKRI DATED 13TH OCTOBER, 2023 ON THE PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE OZORO LEADERSHIP LED BY CHIEF DANIEL MILLER AKPOILI ON THE DISPUTED LAND BOUNDARIES BETWEEN OLEH AND OZORO LAND OWNING FAMILIES. Gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh Kingdom, Oleh Kingdom Council of Chiefs, the land owning families in the disputed area between Oleh and Ozoro land owning families and the entire people of Oleh kingdom, I, Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri, President General of Oleh Community Development Union (OCDU) welcome you to this World Press Conference to intimate the world of the attempt by the Ozoro leadership led by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) at provoking a native war between Oleh and Ozoro communities. Introduction: The attention of the good people of Oleh kingdom was drawn to a press release by the President General of Ozoro Progressive Union dated 12th day of June, 2023 on the caption: “Ozoro/Oleh Boundary Dispute: Ozoro PG Calls on Delta Govt to implement White Paper to douse rising tension.” The Oleh Community leadership did not bother to respond to the above mentioned press release as it was mindful of not heightening tension between the two communities over the land boundary dispute between the land owning communities from both communities. I am however constrained by recent events to make this press conference in order to let the world know the clandestine activities of the Ozoro President General Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili with respect to the disputed areas and to put the record straight and avoid the misrepresentation of facts to unsuspecting members of the public as portrayed in the press release of 12th day of June, 2023 by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President General of OzoroProgressive Union). I, on behalf of the peace loving people of Oleh kingdom state thus: 1. Upon the release of the Delta State White Paper on the land boundary dispute between the Oleh and Ozoro communities, the Oleh land owning families in the disputed area painstakingly read through the White Paper and studied the plan produced by the technical team of the Commission of Inquiry and observed disturbing developments which the land owning families of Oleh in the disputed areas drew to the attention of the immediate past Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa via a letter dated 12th October, 2022 wherein they made several observations which includes but not limited to the fact that while the Judicial Commission of Inquiry stated in one breath that parties to the dispute should respect court judgments, it went ahead to produce a plan ceding areas where Oleh land owning families have obtained judgment to the Ozoro land owning families. For instance CONSOLIDATED SUIT NOS: HCO/28/88 AND HCO/7/89 BETWEEN OGHENEWOGAGA ATASE & 3 ORS VS EMMANUEL ODHOMO & 8 ORS AND OLEH FARMERS MULTI-PURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED VS ETIJORO EDHOGBO & 6 ORS. The above judgment affirmed the title of Ekrona – Ekredhegbe – Ekromokpose families of Oleh to the land lying and situate along Oleh-Ozoro Road, Oleh. The decision of the Delta State Government setting aside the judgment in the above case is in conflict with its own findings that judgments be obeyed. 2. When the Delta State Government failed and neglected to respond to the letter written by the Oleh land owning families, the land owning families of Oleh approached the High of Delta State in Suit No. HCO/54/2022 to seek redress and justice in the areas complained of in the said White Paper. 3. The High Court of Delta State in its wisdom restrained the Defendants in the case which includes the Delta State Government and Ozoro landing owning families from carrying out any delineation of the boundary mark for both communities pending the hearing of the case. 4. On or about the 12th day of June, 2023 the Ozoro community in flagrant disregard to the Court order in the suit filed by the Oleh land owning families mobilized earth moving equipment to the disputed areas and began clearing same in what the Ozoro community President General calls “….community development project-creating of access roads in Ozoro by the Ozoro community.” The above act expressly admitted by the Ozorocommunity President General in his press release is not only an affront tothe order of a court of competent jurisdiction, but acts likely to cause a breach of the peace with intent to provoke communal crisis between Oleh and Ozoro communities. This act also constitutes contempt of court in the face of the valid Court order restraining the Defendants from doing any act pending the determination of the substantive suit in Suit No. HCO/54/2022. 5. The Oleh land owning families determined not to be provoked by the Ozorocommunity leadership into taking laws into their hands petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 over the actions of the Ozorocommunity leadership. 6. It is clear from the above that it is the Ozoro community that is provoking the Oleh Community and not the other way round. Again one is tempted to ask if it is the Ozoro community leadership that is to implement the White paper or the Delta State Government. It is a disregard to the Delta State Government for the Ozoro community leadership to attempt to implement the white paper on their own while at the same time calling on the same Government to urgently implement same while the matter is still subjudice. It is also hypocritical and inconsistent for the Ozoro community to assert to be conducting themselves peacefully and law abiding while at the same time disobeying a subsisting court order restraining them from entering into the disputed land for any activity whatsoever. 7. The allegation of unprovoked attacks and aggressive tendencies from the Oleh community by the Ozoro President General in his press release is not only wicked but malicious and unfounded, a calculated attempt at bringing into disrepute the good image and reputation of Oleh community. 8. On or before the 9th day of October, 2023 Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) in company of Sir Raphael Afemari, Enifome Enaroseha Eribo, Emamoke Enaroseha Eriboand others in continuation of his attempt at provoking war between Oleh and Ozoro community led earth moving equipment into Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush owned by Oleh land owning families in the disputed areas and began bulldozing same in total disobedience to the existing court order restraining parties from doing anything on the land. 9. In response to the information that part of Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush was been bulldozed, the Oleh land owning families in the above mentioned bush visited the area only to find out that Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts were supervising the bulldozing of the land. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili and his cohorts mentioned above took to their heels while the operator of one of the earth moving equipment named Mr. Gowon Sunday Johnny whose nick name is NO STAIN was arrested by the Oleh Vigilante to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Oleh. 10. In his characteristic manner at misrepresentation of facts, Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili made a false report at the Police Area Command office, Ozoro alleging that persons from Oleh community attempted kidnapping him but succeeded in kidnapping only the operator of the earth moving equipment bulldozing part of the disputed areas. 11. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during a phone conversation with me on 9thOctober, 2023 when he called to complain to me of what transpired in the disputed areas being bulldozed under his supervision alleged that the area was approved by the Delta State Government for the establishment of a camp for Internally Displaced Persons to be built by NDDC to the knowledge of the Isoko North Council Chairman HON. CHRISTIAN ITERI, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, Ozoro. 12. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during the phone conversation with me boasted that what happened to Oleh Community in October 16, 2020 will repeat itself and nothing will happen and that Oleh community should be ready for war. 13. Gentlemen of the press, I wish to remind you that the Oleh twelve murdered in cold blood on 16th October, 2020 are still lying in the mortuary. 14. On the 11th day of October, 2023 I in company of the Vice President, Woman Leader and the Vigilante Chairman of Oleh Community where at the Isoko South Council Chairman’s office at the instance of the Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council who convened a meeting which also had in attendance the Police Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command; the Divisional Police Officer, Oleh Divisional Headquarters, a personnel of the State Security Service and some staff of the Isoko South Local Government Council to find out what the issue is in the bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order arising from the activities of the Ozoroleadership on the parts of the disputed land between the Oleh and Ozoroland owning families. 15. After the meeting with the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Area Commander, the Oleh Divisional Police Officer, the personnel from the State Security Service visited Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush belonging to the Oleh land owning families and met the men employed by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili President General of Ozoro community working on the land with the Ozoro community vigilante fully armed providing security coverage for the workers. 16. The Area Commander who saw the above scenario refused and/neglected to stop the men from working on the land and stated he could not stop them because he wants to make peace. 17. Whenever any person(s) is arrested to Oleh Divisional Police Headquarters, over incursion into the disputed area, the Area Command ALWAYS give order to the Divisional Officer to release such persons and/or transfer such person(s) to his command at Ozoro where he usually releases such persons without investigations. 18. On the 9th of October, 2023 when the operator of the bulldozer hired by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts to bulldozed part of the disputed area was arrested to Divisional Police Headquarter, Oleh, the Area Commander on becoming aware, immediately gave an order for the his release without an investigation into how, why and who authorized the operator to carry out clearing activities on the disputed area because according to the Area Commander the Ozoroleadership were beating the drums of war and boasting that if the operator is not released they will war against Oleh community. 19. The actions of the Area Commander with respect to provocative activities of the Ozoro leadership in the disputed area between the Oleh and Ozoro land owning families to say the least has been biased and is counterproductive in the search for peace in the disputed area. Consequently, we wish to state unequivocally that the Oleh leadership has lost confidence in his ability to handle cases emanating from the disputed area and shall not at anytime submit to his office for any form resolution. Conclusively, while thanking the Delta State Government on the steps taken so far in promoting peace between the land owning families from Oleh and Ozorocommunities, we humbly appeal to your Excellency Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevworito as a matter of utmost importance and consolidating on the achievements made so far on the matter use your good offices to correct the grave errors complained of in the White paper by Oleh land owning families before setting machineries in place for the delineation of the boundary mark for both communities. At the same time, I also call on the Police High Command, especially the Commissioner of Police, Delta State and the Inspector General of Police to call the Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force to order to be neutral and impartial in the discharge of his duties and if he will not discharge his duties neutrally or with impartiality, he should be transferred from the Command. With his office, he must by law act with neutrality and impartiality. He is not expected to act otherwise when there is a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction to which there is no appeal. I urge the peace loving and law abiding indigenes of Oleh and our brothers and sisters in Ozoro to maintain a peaceful disposition towards each other. Thank you for your attention. God bless you. Signed Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri President General, Oleh Community Development Union(OCDU)
| PRESS RELEASE BY THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF OLEH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNION (OCDU) COMRADE (CHIEF) BELIEVE ALAKRI DATED 13TH OCTOBER, 2023 ON THE PROVOCATIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE OZORO LEADERSHIP LED BY CHIEF DANIEL MILLER AKPOILI ON THE DISPUTED LAND BOUNDARIES BETWEEN OLEH AND OZORO LAND OWNING FAMILIES. Gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh Kingdom, Oleh Kingdom Council of Chiefs, the land owning families in the disputed area between Oleh and Ozoro land owning families and the entire people of Oleh kingdom, I, Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri, President General of Oleh Community Development Union (OCDU) welcome you to this World Press Conference to intimate the world of the attempt by the Ozoro leadership led by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) at provoking a native war between Oleh and Ozoro communities. Introduction: The attention of the good people of Oleh kingdom was drawn to a press release by the President General of Ozoro Progressive Union dated 12th day of June, 2023 on the caption: “Ozoro/Oleh Boundary Dispute: Ozoro PG Calls on Delta Govt to implement White Paper to douse rising tension.” The Oleh Community leadership did not bother to respond to the above mentioned press release as it was mindful of not heightening tension between the two communities over the land boundary dispute between the land owning communities from both communities. I am however constrained by recent events to make this press conference in order to let the world know the clandestine activities of the Ozoro President General Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili with respect to the disputed areas and to put the record straight and avoid the misrepresentation of facts to unsuspecting members of the public as portrayed in the press release of 12th day of June, 2023 by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President General of OzoroProgressive Union). I, on behalf of the peace loving people of Oleh kingdom state thus: 1. Upon the release of the Delta State White Paper on the land boundary dispute between the Oleh and Ozoro communities, the Oleh land owning families in the disputed area painstakingly read through the White Paper and studied the plan produced by the technical team of the Commission of Inquiry and observed disturbing developments which the land owning families of Oleh in the disputed areas drew to the attention of the immediate past Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa via a letter dated 12th October, 2022 wherein they made several observations which includes but not limited to the fact that while the Judicial Commission of Inquiry stated in one breath that parties to the dispute should respect court judgments, it went ahead to produce a plan ceding areas where Oleh land owning families have obtained judgment to the Ozoro land owning families. For instance CONSOLIDATED SUIT NOS: HCO/28/88 AND HCO/7/89 BETWEEN OGHENEWOGAGA ATASE & 3 ORS VS EMMANUEL ODHOMO & 8 ORS AND OLEH FARMERS MULTI-PURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED VS ETIJORO EDHOGBO & 6 ORS. The above judgment affirmed the title of Ekrona – Ekredhegbe – Ekromokpose families of Oleh to the land lying and situate along Oleh-Ozoro Road, Oleh. The decision of the Delta State Government setting aside the judgment in the above case is in conflict with its own findings that judgments be obeyed. 2. When the Delta State Government failed and neglected to respond to the letter written by the Oleh land owning families, the land owning families of Oleh approached the High of Delta State in Suit No. HCO/54/2022 to seek redress and justice in the areas complained of in the said White Paper. 3. The High Court of Delta State in its wisdom restrained the Defendants in the case which includes the Delta State Government and Ozoro landing owning families from carrying out any delineation of the boundary mark for both communities pending the hearing of the case. 4. On or about the 12th day of June, 2023 the Ozoro community in flagrant disregard to the Court order in the suit filed by the Oleh land owning families mobilized earth moving equipment to the disputed areas and began clearing same in what the Ozoro community President General calls “….community development project-creating of access roads in Ozoro by the Ozoro community.” The above act expressly admitted by the Ozorocommunity President General in his press release is not only an affront tothe order of a court of competent jurisdiction, but acts likely to cause a breach of the peace with intent to provoke communal crisis between Oleh and Ozoro communities. This act also constitutes contempt of court in the face of the valid Court order restraining the Defendants from doing any act pending the determination of the substantive suit in Suit No. HCO/54/2022. 5. The Oleh land owning families determined not to be provoked by the Ozorocommunity leadership into taking laws into their hands petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 over the actions of the Ozorocommunity leadership. 6. It is clear from the above that it is the Ozoro community that is provoking the Oleh Community and not the other way round. Again one is tempted to ask if it is the Ozoro community leadership that is to implement the White paper or the Delta State Government. It is a disregard to the Delta State Government for the Ozoro community leadership to attempt to implement the white paper on their own while at the same time calling on the same Government to urgently implement same while the matter is still subjudice. It is also hypocritical and inconsistent for the Ozoro community to assert to be conducting themselves peacefully and law abiding while at the same time disobeying a subsisting court order restraining them from entering into the disputed land for any activity whatsoever. 7. The allegation of unprovoked attacks and aggressive tendencies from the Oleh community by the Ozoro President General in his press release is not only wicked but malicious and unfounded, a calculated attempt at bringing into disrepute the good image and reputation of Oleh community. 8. On or before the 9th day of October, 2023 Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) in company of Sir Raphael Afemari, Enifome Enaroseha Eribo, Emamoke Enaroseha Eriboand others in continuation of his attempt at provoking war between Oleh and Ozoro community led earth moving equipment into Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush owned by Oleh land owning families in the disputed areas and began bulldozing same in total disobedience to the existing court order restraining parties from doing anything on the land. 9. In response to the information that part of Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush was been bulldozed, the Oleh land owning families in the above mentioned bush visited the area only to find out that Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili(President General of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts were supervising the bulldozing of the land. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili and his cohorts mentioned above took to their heels while the operator of one of the earth moving equipment named Mr. Gowon Sunday Johnny whose nick name is NO STAIN was arrested by the Oleh Vigilante to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Oleh. 10. In his characteristic manner at misrepresentation of facts, Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili made a false report at the Police Area Command office, Ozoro alleging that persons from Oleh community attempted kidnapping him but succeeded in kidnapping only the operator of the earth moving equipment bulldozing part of the disputed areas. 11. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during a phone conversation with me on 9thOctober, 2023 when he called to complain to me of what transpired in the disputed areas being bulldozed under his supervision alleged that the area was approved by the Delta State Government for the establishment of a camp for Internally Displaced Persons to be built by NDDC to the knowledge of the Isoko North Council Chairman HON. CHRISTIAN ITERI, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander, Ozoro. 12. Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili during the phone conversation with me boasted that what happened to Oleh Community in October 16, 2020 will repeat itself and nothing will happen and that Oleh community should be ready for war. 13. Gentlemen of the press, I wish to remind you that the Oleh twelve murdered in cold blood on 16th October, 2020 are still lying in the mortuary. 14. On the 11th day of October, 2023 I in company of the Vice President, Woman Leader and the Vigilante Chairman of Oleh Community where at the Isoko South Council Chairman’s office at the instance of the Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council who convened a meeting which also had in attendance the Police Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command; the Divisional Police Officer, Oleh Divisional Headquarters, a personnel of the State Security Service and some staff of the Isoko South Local Government Council to find out what the issue is in the bid to prevent a breakdown of law and order arising from the activities of the Ozoroleadership on the parts of the disputed land between the Oleh and Ozoroland owning families. 15. After the meeting with the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, the Area Commander, the Oleh Divisional Police Officer, the personnel from the State Security Service visited Akwesi, Ukpebor and Esekpe bush belonging to the Oleh land owning families and met the men employed by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili President General of Ozoro community working on the land with the Ozoro community vigilante fully armed providing security coverage for the workers. 16. The Area Commander who saw the above scenario refused and/neglected to stop the men from working on the land and stated he could not stop them because he wants to make peace. 17. Whenever any person(s) is arrested to Oleh Divisional Police Headquarters, over incursion into the disputed area, the Area Command ALWAYS give order to the Divisional Officer to release such persons and/or transfer such person(s) to his command at Ozoro where he usually releases such persons without investigations. 18. On the 9th of October, 2023 when the operator of the bulldozer hired by Chief Daniel Miller Akpoili (President of Ozoro Progressive Union) and his cohorts to bulldozed part of the disputed area was arrested to Divisional Police Headquarter, Oleh, the Area Commander on becoming aware, immediately gave an order for the his release without an investigation into how, why and who authorized the operator to carry out clearing activities on the disputed area because according to the Area Commander the Ozoroleadership were beating the drums of war and boasting that if the operator is not released they will war against Oleh community. 19. The actions of the Area Commander with respect to provocative activities of the Ozoro leadership in the disputed area between the Oleh and Ozoro land owning families to say the least has been biased and is counterproductive in the search for peace in the disputed area. Consequently, we wish to state unequivocally that the Oleh leadership has lost confidence in his ability to handle cases emanating from the disputed area and shall not at anytime submit to his office for any form resolution. Conclusively, while thanking the Delta State Government on the steps taken so far in promoting peace between the land owning families from Oleh and Ozorocommunities, we humbly appeal to your Excellency Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevworito as a matter of utmost importance and consolidating on the achievements made so far on the matter use your good offices to correct the grave errors complained of in the White paper by Oleh land owning families before setting machineries in place for the delineation of the boundary mark for both communities. At the same time, I also call on the Police High Command, especially the Commissioner of Police, Delta State and the Inspector General of Police to call the Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force to order to be neutral and impartial in the discharge of his duties and if he will not discharge his duties neutrally or with impartiality, he should be transferred from the Command. With his office, he must by law act with neutrality and impartiality. He is not expected to act otherwise when there is a subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction to which there is no appeal. I urge the peace loving and law abiding indigenes of Oleh and our brothers and sisters in Ozoro to maintain a peaceful disposition towards each other. Thank you for your attention. God bless you. Signed Comrade (Chief) Believe Alakri President General, Oleh Community Development Union(OCDU) |
