Ekoken Community Celebrates Appeal Court Boundary Dispute

…Says it’s an affirmation of Oba Ewuare II resolution

By Simeon OSAJIE

The lingering boundary dispute between Ekoken Community and their neighbouring Igueosagie Village both in Uhunmwonde local government area of Edo State have finally put to rest as Court of Appeal gave verdict in favour of Ekoken Community.

In celebration, the Ekoken Community assert that the Appeal Court victory was only an affirmation of earlier resolution by His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom in favour of Ekoken Community.

According to the most elderly man in the Community, David Eguasa Uhunwangho, the two neighbours have been bounded by the natural features of a moat from time immemorial as traditionally recognised in Benin Kingdom.

But suddenly, Igueosagie people crossed the boundary deliberately, encroached on the land of Ekoken Community and were illegally selling to unsuspecting developers unrestrained.

In the narration of the Okaighele of Ekoken Community, Billy Aimuavbosa  Ugiagbe, “it has been a long walk since 2005 when the Palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom first gave judgement in the favour of Ekoken Community.

“Again in 2018, after the withdrawal of the case from court in compliance to the directive of the Palace of  Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II resolved the dispute in favour of  Ekoken Community, stating that the natural features of the moat remains the boundary.

“Surprisingly, our neighbours; Igueosagie Community refused to abide by the Palace’s resolution, and continued their unrestricted encroachment on our land.

“Even at that, they again took us to court, where Justice Eboriemen based on the verifiable evidence presented, also gave judgement in our favour that according to the resolution of the authority of the Palace of the Benin Monarch, the traditional boundary of ‘Iyanuwu’ (boundary moat) should remain and  be adopted by all the disputing parties.

“As usual, the people of Igueosagie in concerted efforts to illegally take over our land, took an appeal for about two years now.

“Probably sensing that the appeal may likely not be in their favour; they went back to the Palace of Oba Ewuare II seeking intervention.

“So, as customary, the authority of the Oba asked all the disputing parties to return to the court; especially when it was the same people of Igueosagie who instituted the Appeal case.

“But fortunately, the Appeal Court has given judgement in the favour of the people of Ekoken; upholding the judgement of the lower court, and the earlier resolution of the Palace of the Oba of Benin.”

Also speaking, one of the leaders of Ekoken Community, Nestor Amayo corroborated the narrative of the Okaighele of the Community.

The elated people of Ekoken said that they have been again vindicated urging that their neighbour should embrace the peace which its groundwork has been laid.

They consequently sent a warning to developers and prospective buyers in the hitherto area in dispute; from ‘Iyanuwu’ (boundary moat) downward’ to take note of the latest development.

The Ekoken Community also felicitate the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II in celebration of the feast of ‘Emorho’ (New Yam Festival), and on the occasion of His Royal Majesty Eight Anniversary on the throne.

Counsel to the people of Ekoken in the boundary dispute, Olayiwola Afolabi SAN noted: “In the year 2005, High Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa first resolved the dispute in favour of his clients; the people of Ekoken saying; the Iyanuwu (boundary moat) a natural feature remains the boundary between the two Villages. But Igueosagie people disobeyed.

“Again, in the year 2018, HRM Oba Ewuare II adopted the earlier resolution of Oba Erediauwa in 2005 that the Iyanuwu (boundary moat) should be retained as the boundary between Ekoken and Igueosagie people.

“They again refused, they didn’t want to obey the Monarch’s resolution; they went to court.

“In 2021, Justice Eboriemen granted the court injunction order we filed on behalf of Ekoken Community; restraining the people of Igueosagie from trespassing the land of Ekoken people beyond the ‘Iyanuwu’ which serves as the natural boundary.

“In their usual character, Igueosagie people filed an appeal against that court restraining order.

“But they didn’t come to court, and eventually, the appeal was struck out.

“So, the judgement of the Oba still remains; that the ‘Iyanuwu’ (boundary moat) is the natural boundary between the people of Ekoken and Igueosagie Villages.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn would-be buyers not to buy any inch of land in the area from the people of Igueosagie. If you do, you will be buying litigation.”