By Francis Sadhere, Warri
HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State has commended the judiciary as well as the media over the recent judgement in the land dispute between the kingdom and the Nigerian Army that was in the favour of the Kingdom.
Addressing journalists in his Palace in Effurun after an appreciation rally through parts of the Kingdom, HRM Sideso said that the Judiciary and the media stood for what is right.
It could be recalled that an Effurun High Court presided over by Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman on Monday, February 12, 2024 declared “null and void” the purported acquisition by the Nigerian Army parts of Ohore 1 Community Land in Uvwie Kingdom.”
Harriman while delivering judgment in suit No. EHC/41/2014 also declared the invasion of Ohore 1 Community land by the Nigerian Army as “trespass”.
In the judgement, , the Army was fined N1 million, adding that the Ohore people were entitled to the statutory Right of Occupancy in respect of the entire land in exhibit CL3 presented before the court.
HRM Sideso disclosed that Uvwie Kingdom had to seek redress in court after series of peaceful resolutions with the Nigerian Army had failed.
According to him, about 60 years ago, the Federal Government requested for a land to build the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), adding that the kingdom generously released an expanse of land for the purpose.
The Uvwie Monarch further disclosed that rather than using the land for the purposed it was officially released, only about 40 per cent of the land was legally acquired while others were being sold and used for commercial purposes.
Accordng to HRM Sideso, “we were generous enough when the Federal Government requested that they wanted to build the NDA and we graciously gave out some portions of our land for public use, I re-emphasised, for public use”.
“Unfortunately, they went beyond what we gave them, this led to what I can not call crisis because we invited and make series of resolutions with them without successes.
“My people have no land to farm now. Is it a bad thing to bring educational development to Uvwie Kingdom? That was the reasons we gave out the land to the government. NDA is not only for Uvwie people, Delta State but entire Nigerians.
“We thank God for our generous mind, but the Army took us for a ride selling the land to corporate organisations and individuals.They encroached into villages, destroying crops and threatening lives,
“We decided to toe the part of peace otherwise, there would have been bloodbath. You do not toy with Uvwie people. I say it clearly, do not tempt us, otherwise, you will see the other side of us.
“We have done a lot to bring peace to this community. By toeing the part of peace, we decided to approach the Judiciary that is the last hope of the common man and today, we have gotten justice,” he said.
HRM Sideso said that with the judgment, the Nigerian Army had given the land back to Uvwie Kingdom.
He expressed displeasure over the attitude of some of his subjects who also illegally acquired parts of the land through the Nigerian Army adding that such persons must write “application for us to consider their eligibility as Uvwie sons or daughters”.
“We are fighting a just cause for you to have a case against the Army and you turned round and went behind to do the unusual, you are a traitor and a betrayer.
“Your people are being marginalised, you are colluding with the Army to treat your people like that, the gods of Uvwie will worry those people so that they will learn,” he said.
HRM Sideso expressed his appreciation to the media for their support so far in their struggle to reclaim their land, adding, “we appreciate your struggle, help and support in our determined bid to reclaim our land.”
