By Emma Arubi
WARRI—THE Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II, has imposed a fine of N50,000.00 on Ugbege community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State for allegedly tagging some other neighbouring Itsekiri communities in the area as slaves.

The royal father also said that Molume, Ekekporo, Eketie, Ototo, Ebokiti and Ugbege communities should maintain their distinct and respective territories and ownership under his dominion, saying Ugbege community’s claims of ownership of Uwangue, Molume and Ebokiti community lands were patently false and untrue.

These are some of the judgments and resolutions given by the monarch at a joint meeting between HRM in-Council and six representatives from the various communities held at the Olus’ palace in Warri.

Chief Yemi Oritsejafor and Emma Kunu of Ebokiti community and Mr. Anomuoghanran of Molume had dragged the Ugbege community before the monarch over alleged claims that people of Ebokiti, Molume and others were their slaves.

Giving his judgment, the Olu, in company of Chiefs Walter Odeli, Charles Ikomi, Yemi Oritsejafor Emma Jones and Denson Ogedegbe, stated among others, that “after carefully considering all the documents and oral evidence given by the representatives of the various communities, Ugbege community, from the facts available to them, is culpable.”

He charged all the communities in the area to unite to fight against aggression and any attempt of unlawful ceding of their territories to Ondo State, as well as work together to bring the much needed development to the area.

“Based on the false claim by Ugbege community that Ebokiti, Molume, Eketie, Ekekporo and Ototo communities were their slaves, and that their lands belonged to Ugbege, the monarch fined Ugbege community the sum of N50,000.00 for its conduct, to wash off the smear of slavery placed on them,” a statement signed by the Olu of Warri stated.