Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Brother, Dares Delta State Government Over Order On Land Disputes

By Braxton Ilobah

Despite last Friday’s order by the Delta State Government banning sales of land at Ogwashi-Uku and its neighbouring communities, suspected agents of the Ogwashi-Uku monarch, Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo were reportedly seen bulldozing lands, forcefully grabbed at Aniagbala – Ubulu-uku on Sunday (today).

ATLANTICNEWSONLINE gathered that thugs who began massive attack and destruction of economic trees a few weeks ago have re-inforced with a threat that anyone seen on the disputed land areas would live to regret. A particular family whose house has been marked for destruction was given today to vacate the house or else be ready to be destroyed along with the house.

This action is contrary to the position of Delta State Government which last Friday banned the sales of land within Ogwashi-Uku and its neighbouring communities particularly in disputed boundary areas until further notice.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Monday Onyeme was reported to have given the directive on Friday at a meeting “to resolve Ogwashi-Uku kingship, chieftaincy and land disputes with neighbouring communities.” The meeting was said to have been held at the Government House, Asaba.

The government was said to have resolved to put an end to all boundary disputes bordering between various communities in the State in order for people to live in peace with one another.

In the past few weeks, media reports have variously linked the Ogwashi-Uku monarch, His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo to the shady land deals in Aniagbala-Ubulu-Uku, Agidieghe Quarters at Ogwashi-Uku, Otulu and Ubulu-Okiti.

The monarch is a younger brother to the influential World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General, Dr.(Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. He ascended the throne a few years ago following the passage of their father, Obi (Prof) Chukwuka Okonjo) who was the immediate past king of Ogwashi-Uku.

Despite the fact that the monarch has made several attempts to exonerate himself, there is every indication that he is behind the various land grabbers who are operating with impunity in the neighbouring communities as his denial has only helped to aggravate the ferociousness with which the thugs operate particularly within the Aniagbala axis where about 6000 palm trees and 100 beehives belonging to Mr. Luke Ejiofor were reportedly destroyed last week.

Our investigation at Aniagbala today revealed that indigenes of the community are warming for a protest to the Government House, Asaba anytime this week as government directive seemed not to have been complied with by the land grabbers and their pay Masters.

Some anonymous sources at Aniagbala who spoke with our ATLANTICNEWSONLINE said the indigenes were worried that the Ogwashi-Uku monarch whom they believed to be behind their ordeal, seemed to have strong backing somewhere. They wondered why the king and his agents do not have regard for the Delta State Government. “Is the king above the law” they asked.

Some sources said the thugs who are used in the land grabbing are like the king’s private army who are lodged in a particular hotel from where they operate with impunity believing that nobody would obstruct them particularly as it is believed that police in Delta State have been compromised.