By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Nigeria, has condemned what it described as an unlawful and unconstitutional boundary adjustment between Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area and Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, in Warri, the National President of CDHR, Comrade Dr. Kehinde Prince Taiga, accused some government officials of illegally tampering with local government boundaries in the ongoing land dispute between the two communities.
Those named in the alleged adjustment include the Chairmen of Aniocha North and Oshimili North LGAs, Hon. Innocent Esewezie and Hon. Emmanuel Chinye Bazim, the Office of the Surveyor-General, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Delta State.
Taiga argued that local government chairmen lack constitutional powers to alter boundaries, noting that such responsibilities fall under the purview of the National Boundary Commission and State Boundary Committees.
Quoting Section 8(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and provisions of the National Boundary Commission Act, he stressed that any boundary changes must go through proper constitutional channels, including gubernatorial proposals, local government approvals, a referendum, and passage by the State House of Assembly.
The CDHR president further warned that the dispute between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam is already before a competent court of law. Proceeding with boundary realignment outside the court process, he said, undermines judicial independence and could provoke communal crisis.
Citing precedents such as Ojukwu v. Military Governor of Lagos State (1986) and A.G. Federation v. A.G. Abia State (2001), he noted that “no party may resort to self-help while a matter is before the courts.”
CDHR also rejected an alleged “consent judgment” said to be backing the adjustment, insisting that the process was marred by procedural irregularities, exclusion of key stakeholders, and possible fraud.
Taiga demanded an independent investigation into the consent judgment and reaffirmed that consent rulings can be set aside where fraud or misrepresentation is proven, citing Ekpe v. Fagbemi (1978) and Woluchem v. Gudi (1981).
The rights group specifically cautioned state officials and institutions not to allow themselves to be used by “land grabbers operating under the guise of boundary realignment.”
“Any compromise or illegal interference in this matter could provoke a communal crisis and result in a serious breach of public peace,” Taiga warned.
The group called for: Immediate halt to all boundary-related activities pending court resolution, Respect for judicial independence and separation of powers, Independent probe of the consent judgment, Strict adherence to original local government boundaries, and Prompt intervention by the Delta State Governor and the State Boundary Committee.
While urging the government to act with transparency and respect for the law, CDHR appealed to the people of Okpanam and Issele-Azagba to remain peaceful, vigilant, and law-abiding.
“The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights remains firmly committed to defending constitutional order, community rights, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and administrative systems,” Taiga said.
