Obah people refute allegations of land grabbing

(C), Odionwere Omoragbon Iyen and other elders at meeting on Thursday 

The people of Obah village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have denied the allegation of land grabbing raised against them by one Sir Francis Aghedo.

They said contrary to the claim of Aghedo, the suspended Enogie of Obazagbon has no jurisdiction over Obah village and could not have sold any inch of their land to anyone on their behalf, including the contentious 500ft × 600ft, he claims to have bought.

Obah village is autonomous and recognised by the Benin Traditional Council and the Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II.

It is not under the authority of any Enogie as Aghedo erroneously wants members of the public to believe; but an Odionwere (Village administrative Head who is the most elderly male).

Aghedo had last Thursday, 13 March, 2025 in company of security operatives storm Obah village with bulldozers in an attempt to reclaim the 500ft × 600ft land he claimed to have been sold to him by the Enogie of Obazagbon some time ago.

While in a media publication, he said after he discovered that the people of Obah sold the same land to other persons who have now erected houses in it, some under construction and others already completed and occupied, he went to court to seek justice.

He claimed to have a judgement in his favour in a Suit No. B/822/2022, which he wanted to enforce but was strongly resisted by the people of Obah.

In reaction on Saturday, 15 March, 2025 the people led by their Odionwere, Pa. Omoragbon Iyen talked to journalists.

Odionwere Iyen wants Aghedo to appear in a meeting of Obah people to explain his actions, which he noted were against the norms of the Benin Kingdom; and how he got into the said landed property.

Sam Osaze, second ranking elder said the autonomy of Obah Village has since been affirmed by the Oba when it had boundary dispute with its neighbour, Avbiama people and so it remains; up till date.

Unuagbon Idemudia, son of the Ohen Oken (priest) of Obah said; “in 2002, the Enogie of Obazagbon reported the people of Obah to the Palace and the Palace resolved that the two villages are independent of each other.

” the Oba directed that Ohen Oken should go preside over Obah while the Enogie takes charge of Obazagbon and a document of this effect was issued to us.

“Also, in 2004, when the Enogie of Avbiama village took Obah to the Palace over a boundary dispute, it was resolved in our favour after the Ohen Oken was made to swear before the gods, and a document was issued to us as regards this.”

Idemudia pointed out that the 500ft × 600ft land in question is not in Obazagbon where the Enogie presides, “it belongs to Obah village!

“This particular area Aghedo is claiming he bought from the Enogie of Obazagbon, was the reason Enogie of Avbiama took us to the Palace of the Oba in 2004 and our Ohen Oken had to swear before the gods of the land affirming it belongs to us after which; it was resolved in our favour by the Monarch HRM Oba Erediauwa.”

Saying this is not the only land the Enogie of Obazagbon sold to Aghedo, he listed them to include; 32 plots at the extreme end of Obah Village, 22 plots near its boundary with Egba Village, and another 22 plots.

“So, I don’t know how he came into our village, the whole property belongs to us. He said the court gave him judgement, but we were never aware that the matter was in court.

“As it is, we will also reach our lawyer to file an appeal to the said judgement. I want to seize this opportunity to clarify that in Obah village, we don’t practice land grabbing, it is just unfortunate that Aghedo entered our land through the wrong person hence he is unduly labouring us.

“Everywhere is peaceful and developers are very free to come for business without any fear.”

In the same vein, another elder, Peter Iyen corroborated the earlier speakers saying Aghedo has illegally entered Obah’s land having gone through the wrong source.

Further, Iyeketin Osaghae, secretary, verification committee of Obah village explained that in the last 20 years, the suspended Enogie of Obazagbon has been forcefully imposing himself as the custodian of Obah village.

This he said has been causing a lot of avoidable confusion and crisis until last year; 2024 when the Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II put an end to it all when he installed an Odionwere and Okaighele (youths’ head) to be in charge of affairs of Obah village on his behalf.

“Since then, peace has reigned here hence it is so surprising to us that one Aghedo came in here and is claiming ownership of a 500ft × 600ft property which he alleged to have bought from the Enogie of Obazagbon.

“But we feel that he probably did not know where the land which belongs to Obazagbon is located; and that is why he is making a mistake.

“We are not aware of his ownership of the said property so we are inviting him to come forward with the documents and explain how he got into that land.

“We also are going to tell the court that the said land is not the property of Obazagbon; and we the people of Obah Village were not part of the alleged transaction.

“For now, what we have been able to understand from his explanation is that he bought the land from one Enogie of Obazagbon which gives us the confidence that maybe; he has not been properly shown where the property he bought is located.”

Iyen reassured prospective developers to ignore the allegations that the people of Obah Village are land grabbers, as Aghedo erroneously wants the public to believe.

“The place is peaceful and welcoming, and developers are all working without any harassment and intimidation,” he added.