The Commission of Inquiry established by Delta state government into the land and kingship disputes in Ogwashi Uku Kingdom and its neighboring communities has received a petition alleging the kidnap and murder of Ekene Ugbah by the Obi of Ogwashi Uku, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo 11.
Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo is a younger sibling of ex-Nigeria, Finance Minister and Director General World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The petition which was brought by some persons representing Aboh Ogwashi Uku, produced a recorded audio conversation played to substantiate their claim.
A witness, Mr. Collins Emnwewa, under cross examination identified Joy Uche who was speaking to someone in the recorded audio tape on the alleged kidnapping and killing of Ekene, said he could not tell if the said Ekene’s dead body was found.
Barrister Ngozi Chukwura, counsel to the defendant, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and a witness, Jude Obidi implicated in the petition over the killing, dispelled the allegation by presenting police investigation reports identifying Ekene Ugbah as a suspect in the murder of one Chukwunweike Alao.
Chukwura argued that the allegations were a coordinated campaign to smear the reputation of the Ogwashi-Uku monarch.
He urged the commission to recognise that the Obi’s firm stance against land grabbing and illegal activities had made him a target of individuals seeking to tarnish his reputation.
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Also, the claim of illegal seizure of land at Azagba Ogwashi and bulldozing of structures near Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku allegedly by His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Anishi Okonjo II was entertained.
Azagba-Ogwashi-Uku is a satellite community in Ogwashi Uku kingdom.
During cross-examination, Azagba community’s representative, Mr Adingupu admitted that the land in question was part of the 500 hectares legally awarded to the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom by court judgment.
The witness, who did not produce any documentation to support claims of land sales by the Obi, said the land belonged to Azagba community as “it has been our farmland.“