By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, has explained by his kingdom took the Nigerian Army to court over a land dispute.
The monarch, who lauded the judiciary for victory over the land dispute judgement between the kingdom and the Nigerian Army, said approaching the court for a redress was to avert an imminent bloodbath.
The court judgement victory rally on Wednesday
King Sideso addressed journalists on Wednesday at his palace in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, shortly after an appreciation rally held in some parts of the kingdom.
It will be recalled that on Monday, an Effurun High Court, presided over by Justice Roli Daibo-Harriman declared, “null and void,” the purported acquisition, by the Nigerian Army, parts of Ohore 1 community land in Uvwie.
The court judgement victory rally on Wednesday
Harriman, while delivering the judgement in Suit No. EHC/41/2014, also declared the invasion of Ohore 1 Community land by the Nigerian Army as “trespass.”
The judge, consequently, fined the Army N1 million, saying the Ohore people were entitled to the statutory right of occupancy in respect of the entire land in Exhibit CL3 presented before the court.
The royal father said that the Uvwie Kingdom had to seek redress in the court after series of peaceful resolutions with the Nigerian Army had failed.
Court judgement victory rally on Wednesday
According to him, about 60 years ago, the Federal Government requested a land to build the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), adding that the kingdom generously released an expanse of land for the purpose.
The traditional ruler said that rather than using the land for the purpose it was officially released for, only about 40 per cent of the land was legally acquired while others were being sold and used for commercial purposes by the army authorities.
The court judgement victory rally on Wednesday
“We were generous enough when the Federal Government requested that they wanted to build an 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, and this led to what I cannot call ‘crisis’ because we invited and made series of resolutions with them without success.
“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, but the 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 which is the last hope of the common man and today, we have gotten justice,” he enthused.
King Sideso said that with the judgement, the Nigerian Army had given the land back to the Uvwie Kingdom.
The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1
The monarch 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 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 go behind, you are a traitor and a betrayer.
“Your people are being marginalised, you are conniving with the Army to treat your people like that, the gods of Uvwie will worry those people so that they will learn,” he cursed.
The royal father thanked journalists for their support thus far in the struggle, “we appreciate your struggle, help and support, thank you very much.”
The appreciation rally on Wednesday at Uvwie kingdom in Delta.
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