BENIN- Communal clash brewed between the Bini and Ijaw in Edo State
following claims by the Bini that the Ijaw were claiming ownership of the land
the Binis gave them as migrant fishermen. In a petition to the state
government, the Enogie of Obazuwa, and brother to the Oba of Benin, who is in
charge of most of the territories being annexed and 80 others, said their
subjects had been attacked unprovoked by the “settlers.” They added that they
had maintained calm because there are court decisions that went as far as the
Supreme Court which confirmed that the Binis were the original inhabitants and
owners of the land.
According to Akenzua, on June 3, 2011, while the Binis in the area were
measuring a land donated to the state government to build a school, “Ijaw
militants from Iko” attacked them with machetes, abducted three of his subjects
and vandalised property and vehicles in the area. “The question of who owns
Gelegele had gone through litigation and had long been settled. For 50 years,
these Ijaw settlers have provoked the Bini.
The Enogie of Obazuwa said, they are finding it increasingly difficult to restrain
ourselves from retaliating against these unwarranted attacks by the Ijaw. “If
they refuse to co-exist in harmony with us, they are at liberty to join their kiths
and kins in Bayelsa or Rivers states.
They must respect the bond of love that binds host and guests.” In his words,
he stated below....
1 Ijaws against Ilajes in Ondo State
2 Ijaws against Binis in Edo State
3 Ijaws against Itsekiris in Delta State
4 Ijaws against Urhobos (Ogbe Ijo, Gbarigolo, Olota, Okweagbe, Aladja
etc.),all in Delta State
5 Ijaws against Ikwerres in Rivers State
6 Ijaws against Ogonis in Rivers State
7 Ijaws against Ibibios in Akwa Ibom State
8 Ijaws against Yorubas in Ajegunle; Lagos State
These Ijaws seems to be fighting with everybody. Can these guys just learn to
live peacefully with everyone? Must they always be an EPICENTER of internal
imbroglio and a threat to national security?
Now, let us marry what has been said above with what we currently have in
Delta State.
First and foremost, the correct and genuine names for the lands wrongly
published as Okerenkoko is Okerenghigho while that of Kokodiagbene is
Bakokodia. I hereby attach evidence of Courts’ Judgment viz:
CASE I:
In Suit No.w/20/46, Adurumokumor (Ijaw) acting for himself and on behalf of
Bakokodia Ijaw Community took action against Kponu (Itsekiri) of Omadino for
a declaration of title to the land described as Bakokodia. The true Position is
that the Ijaw inhabitants of Bakokodia and its environs came from Western Ijaw
and were permitted by Chanomi Iye on the authority of Omadino people to
settle there. Ademola J. dismissed Adurumokumors’ action on the ground that
the people of Bakododia had failed to prove their title to the land claimed by
them.
As the Ijaws persisted in demanding tributes and rents from those using the
land and fishing in the rivers, Omadino people, represented by Chief Sillo and
Edremoda Golly, sued Adurumokumor on behalf of Bakokodia people in Warri
High Court and successfully obtained a declaration of title over Bakokodia and
the surrounding lands and rivers. The court awarded damages for trespass
against the Ijaws who, according to the Judge, were put on the land by
Omadino people who acknowledge the overlordship rights of the Olu of Warri.
The Ijaws went to the West African Court of Appeal and lost.
CASE II
After this, the Ijaws continued to disregard the above judgments, and Omadino
people sued them for an order of forfeiture at the Warri High Court. Ultimately
at the Supreme Court, the Ijaws accepted a compromise judgment in which they
clearly acknowledged Omadino’s ownership of the land. See Suits Nos.
W/29/51, WACA No. 3707, W/37/61 and SC/393/64.
CASE III
Okenrenghigho, another Ijaw settlement in Gbaramatu also fell under the axe of
the Omadino people. In Suit 30/62 Chief Sillo (Itsekiri) versus James Uluba
(Ijaw), Justice Obaseki held that the Ijaws of Okerenghigho are tenants of
Omadino. The Ijaws then appealed to the Supreme Court presided over by Elias,
C.J., Sowewimo and Ibekwe S.C.JJ. in Suit No. SC.37/1973. They lost. The
effect of these judgments is that the whole of Gbaramatu area is peopled by
Ijaws who are customary tenants on lands owned by Omadino people under the
over Lordship of the Olu of Warri.
Secondly, the original map of Bendel State shows clearly these lands with these
names as Okerenghigho and Bakokodia as against the political name
Okerenkoko and Kokodiagbene.
Therefore, if they have a judgement in their favor as against what is posted
here, I challenge any IJAW man alive to publish or forever admit that, they are
CUSTOMARY TENANTS to the people of OMADINO under the OVER-LORDSHIP
OF THE OLU OF WARRI.