By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE people of Uselu N’Ahor in the Ikpoba-Okah local government area of Edo State on Sunday raised an alarm of alleged invasion by their neighbour Ahor over a controversial boundary dispute which they claimed have been re-adjusted to their disfavour despite an earlier settlement by the palace of the Oba of Benin and also against the fact that there is a litigation still ongoing in court over the same issue.

They alleged that the latest adjustment from the palace of the Oba of Benin the people of Ahor are relying on to claim ownership may have been forged because they said there was an earlier judgment by the palace during the reign of Oba Erediauwa and it is strange to them that the palace would be reversing itself and that it also negates the practice of the palace not adjudicating on an issue in court.

A letter to Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II dated January 17th 2025 and a copy made available to Vanguard on Sunday signed by four of their leaders; Pa Moses Uwoghiren (Ozukpogieva), Pa Lawrence Uhuangho (Ozukogieha), Pa Eduwu Uwoghiren (elder) and Mr. Michael Enotemwonmwan (Okaighele) the community said there was a recent invasion of their community because of the above issues which resulted in wanton destruction of properties, including the Enogie’s residence and a private hotel.

They said the boundary issued started in 2005 when their land was encroached and they reported the issue to the Benin Monarch for intervention and “His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa CFR, constituted a Panel of Chiefs headed by the late Chief Evans Igho-Osagie, the Obobaifo of Benin, to investigate and report their findings to the Benin Monarch” and according to the letter, resolutions were reached that led to the planting of Ikhimmwin trees as landmark along the boundary areas as directed by the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

They said shortly after that, the inhabitants of Evbuoka Quarter situated between Uselu N’Ahor and Ahor communities declared self-independence as an autonomous community, a development that took them back to the place where the Monarch declared that Evboka community is part of Ahor.

They said Evbuoka Quarter dragged the Enogie and people of Uselu N’Ahor and Ahor communities before the High Court of Justice, holding in Benin City in a Suit No.B/629/2018 where the court advised both communities to maintain status quo, they were surprised that the elders of Ahor community again wrote a petition to the Palace Dispute Resolution Committee, led by Chief S.O. Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin in June 2024 and despite their position that Oba Erediauwa had resolved the issue before and that Evbuoka was in court, a new boundary adjustment was purportedly made through a letter bearing the Private Secretary of the Oba of Benin.

“Early September 2024, some Palace functionaries, led by the Palace Avbiogbe were in Uselu N’Ahor community alleging that the Benin Monarch mandated them to re-demarcate the boundary between both communities, with total disregard to judicial process.

“We did everything within our power to ensure that the exercise was aborted, while appealing to them to exercise patience to allow the conclusion of the case in the High Court of Justice.

“In the height of this oppression, the Palace Dispute Resolution Committee addressed a provocative letter to the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja, with reference BTC.A40/Vol.LVVV240 dated 26th September, 2024, falsely claiming the boundary between Uselu N’Ahor and Ahor communities have been re-demarcated in favour of Ahor community.

“The people of Ahor community have been boasting of the huge money they spent to influence some high ranking Palace Chiefs to secure the support they have been receiving from the Palace of the Oba of Benin, as they relied on the said letter that recently emanated from the Office of the Private Secretary to the Oba of Benin, which was signed by Chief S.O. Obamwonyi the Esere of Benin to start oppression, and destroying properties in UseluN’Ahor community.

“Consequent upon the above, we are appealing to His Royal Majesty, OmoN’Oba N’Edo,Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare Il,Oba of Benin, to urgently intervene by calling the people of Ahor community, led by one Mr. Saturday Owie to order, before their land grabbing activities escalates into anarchy.”