Eleme Land Dispute: LG Chairman Obarilomate Ollor Enforces 1957 Supreme Court Judgment, Vows to Protect Ancestral Lands
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Ibeawuch Larry
Chief Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, has declared that his administration will not relinquish "an inch" of Eleme ancestral land to alleged land grabbers, criminal elements or their collaborators, as he unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing ongoing land disputes and restoring order within the council area.
Speaking during a press conference at the Eleme Local Government Council Secretariat on Thursday, Ollor expressed concern over what he described as persistent cases of illegal land occupation, encroachment and related criminal activities along the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road and the Agbonchia–Akpajo corridor of the Port Harcourt Ring Road.
According to the council chairman, armed groups allegedly working in collaboration with some real estate developers have been intimidating indigenous landowners, farmers, women and youths through alleged acts of extortion, harassment and violence.
He alleged that many farmers are now compelled to pay illegal levies before accessing their farmlands, while landowners reportedly face intimidation whenever they attempt to inspect their properties. He added that the situation has contributed to insecurity, destruction of property and loss of lives within the affected communities.
As part of efforts to address the situation, Ollor announced that he had signed an Executive Order suspending all real estate activities across Eleme Local Government Area pending a comprehensive verification and review of existing land transactions.
He directed all estate developers, surveyors and individuals intending to undertake land-related businesses within Eleme to obtain clearance from the Local Government Council and secure all necessary statutory approvals through the Office of the Executive Chairman before commencing any activity.
The chairman further ordered individuals allegedly involved in illegal occupation of lands within the affected areas to vacate the locations immediately or face legal consequences.
Reaffirming Eleme's claim to the disputed areas, Ollor maintained that the entire Eleme axis of the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road and the Akpajo–Agbonchia–Oyigbo boundary constitute ancestral lands belonging to the Eleme people.
He stated that the council's position is supported by the White Paper arising from the Justice Charles Granville Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Eleme–Ogu/Okrika communal conflict, as well as the 1957 Supreme Court judgment, which he said vested the radical title of the disputed lands in the Eleme people.
According to him, the lands have never been ceded to any individual, private organisation or external interest, adding that his administration remains committed to enforcing the existing legal instruments governing ownership of the area.
Ollor also cautioned prospective investors and land buyers to exercise due diligence before purchasing property within the disputed areas, alleging that some criminal syndicates have been using forged documents and false ownership claims to sell lands to unsuspecting members of the public.
He warned that anyone acquiring such properties without proper verification does so at his or her own risk.
During the briefing, the chairman publicly identified several individuals he alleged are involved in illegal land grabbing, sponsorship of armed groups, unlawful land grading and fraudulent land transactions.
Those named include Martins Ala, popularly known as "Don Amadi Boy," Kingsley Udo Akpan, Kelechi Uzorma, Bullus, John Opobo, Emeka Ibe, Mark Anthony, Christopher Ogolo and Anderson Pepe.
He urged the named individuals to immediately cease all alleged unlawful activities and vacate the disputed lands, warning that anyone found violating the law would be prosecuted in accordance with existing legal provisions.
The chairman also directed more than 20 real estate companies operating within Eleme Local Government Area to appear before the council and provide documentation establishing the legality of their operations. He warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract appropriate legal sanctions.
Ollor further disclosed that the council had submitted a petition to the Rivers State House of Assembly through the member representing Eleme Constituency, Hon. Engr. Igwe Obe Aforji, requesting a legislative investigation into allegations of land grabbing, sponsorship of armed gangs and other related criminal activities within the area.
He also appealed to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and take appropriate steps to restore law and order.
"The Government of Eleme Local Government Area will not surrender even an inch of our ancestral land to criminals, land grabbers or their collaborators. We shall continue to pursue every lawful means available to protect our people, preserve our heritage and defend the rights of every law-abiding citizen," Ollor said.
Efforts by Inside Agwa News to obtain the reaction of the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Repeated telephone calls and text messages sent to him were not responded to.
Inside Agwa News remains committed to fair, balanced and accurate reporting. Should the Okrika Local Government Chairman respond, his position will be published accordingly.
