By  Emma Amaize

SAPELE –  LEGENDARY accountant, Senator David Dafinone, weekend, appraised the records of Sapele, in Delta State, and declared unequivocally that the land universally known as Sapele Township, is owned by the people of Okpe.

Consequently, he said the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association owes no duty to any person or group of persons who dispute the claims of Okpe ethnic nationality to the ownership of lands in Sapele.

Dafinone, who  spoke at a meeting of Okpe leaders in Sapele, maintained that Itsekiri people were tenants in Okpeland, citing a deed of lease made December 3, 1908 between Chief Dore Numa of Benin River, a trader, acting for and on behalf of the chiefs and people of Sapele.

But Itsekiri youth leader and security expert, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, faulted Dafinone’s claim, saying, “In that judgment, they sued Olu of Warri and part of their claim was that proceeds accruing from acquisition of Sapele were being paid to the Olu of Wari, but they were the owners.”