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UNREST IN EDO STATE OVER CORONATION OF IJAW KING: FGN TO BE BLAMED- ASSOCIATION FOR THE SURVIVAL OF OMADINO PEOPLE (ASOP)

The Association for the Survival of Omadino People (ASOP) has blamed the Federal Government of Nigeria for the on-going crisis in Edo State over the decision of the Ijaw settlers of Gelegele to crown a King in flagrant disregard to the native law and custom of the ancient people of Benin Kingdom. The President of the Association and Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor, Prince Roland Yomere disclosed this during a Press briefing in Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday, 17th November, 2017 while reacting to the incidence. He argued: “We are now in an organised civil society where the concept of acquisition of land and territories by conquest is alien. The Government needs to play the role of Government otherwise; it should give up its sovereignty. The theory of the emergence of modern society has it that we migrated from a state where life was short, brutish and nasty and might was right. But the people having contracted to surrender their rights to the sovereign (Government) in exchange for the protection of their lives and property, it should no longer be permissible for the same Government to promote the ancient barbaric form of acquisition of land and territories such as conquest. The forceful and unlawful expansionist agenda which reflects itself in the various claims of the Ijaw people over land and territories across several states in the region including Lagos State is contrary to history, court judgements and life in modern societies”. Flanked by the Secretary of the Association, Mrs Tsaye Edeyibo-Mene and a huge number of the people of the Community, Prince Yomere proceeded to link the recent crisis in Edo arising from the decision of the Ijaw settlers in Gelegele, Edo State to crown a king with the claim of the Ijaws of ownership of the land of Okerenghigho owned by Omadino people but which the Ijaws occupy as settlers and which they have continued to threaten the Federal Government to name as Okerenkoko contrary to the declaration of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in a decided case on the issue. He further argued that if the Government does not act cautiously and enforce the laws as it should be in a civil society, then incidents like these will become routine and peace in the region will forever be illusive. He commended the swift and smooth response of the Oba of Benin which was immediately followed by the condemnation of the conduct of the Ijaws by the Governor and other principal political actors in Edo State unlike their Delta State counterparts. He urged their Itsekiri counterparts to follow the foot steps of their traditional brothers, the people of Edo State. He also argued: “corruption is not only about embezzlement and conversion of public funds, circumvention of established processes and procedures to achieve illegal objects pass as corruption. It therefore amounts to corruption to be aware of a court judgement and act against that judgment; such should be prohibited by any person who is serious about fighting corruption". Mrs Tsaye Edeyibo-Mene on her part called on the Federal Government not to succumb to blackmail but to be consistent on the obedience of court judgments. She said that the people of Omadino and the Itsekriris stand with the Edo people in their firm stand against this expansionist agenda of the Ijaw people. While calling on the Federal Government to act like a government, she concluded that the rule of law is always preferable to the rule of force which is never sustainable in any normal human setting. -Bawo Edema, Reporting fromalsri.

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Omadino Indigenes Protest Over The Naming Of The Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoko.

Activities in the oil rich omadino community in warri south local government area of delta state was yesterday shutdown over the naming of the nigeria maritime university okerenkoko which they claimed was acquired from an imposters. The indigenes of the community which include age women and youths vows to do everything within their reach to reclaimed and protect their heritage.

Comrade Yomere Roland the special assistant to the governor of delta state on youth development and who is also the national chairman concerned Omadino Indigenes For Progressive Development, Mrs Tsaye Edeyibo Mene, Executive member Omadino management committee, Comrade Esimaje Awani the President Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and a cross section of Omadino indigenes peacefully protested against the wrongful naming of the Nigerian maritime University Okerenkoko instead of okerenghigho.

While addressing the protesters Comrade Yomere Roland thanked them for their peaceful protest and advice the federal government to respect the rule of law. The Omadino people are law abiding and peaceful people, whose land spread across the 3 Warri local government areas and are under the over lordship of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, will not like to cede any of their lands to anybody. So he is praying that the antics of the federal government will not truncate the peaceful coexistence between the itsekiris of Omadino and their Ijaw neighbors. History have it that the Omadino people migrated from Ijebu Ode, and settled in the said land okerenghigho corrupted to okerenkoko by Ijaw for centuries… In the 70s during the advents of oil exploration and exploitation, 80% of the land acquired from Omadino community, namely Oml 42, Jones creek field, NNPC Shell BP joint venture… Egwa field, Uhriapele/ Ekeremo trunk/delivering line, Jones creek trunk/dekivering line. NNPC/Gulf presently Chevrontexaco joint venture, Makaraba fields and Utunana field.. All acquisition documents were sign between the Omadino and the JVs.

We are not against the citing of the institution in okerenghigho, it’s a laudable development because it will bring employment and development into the region but what we are against is the wrongful acquisition of the land from the hands of aliens instead of the original owners and the naming of the said land said Comrade Esimaje Awani. Our demands, is that the Presidency, Senate President and the leader of the house of representatives should respect the rule of law with regards to the Apex court judgment on the true ownership of the said land in dispute.. The bill establishing the Nigerian Maritime University okerenkoko should be renamed Nigerian Maritime University Okerenghigho not the other way round.The federal government should acquired the land from the rightful owners for peace to reign.

It is said that, when diplomacy fails, war is inevitable but in the presence of war, humans bleeds not the guns.. Omadino land cannot be used to negotiate ethnocentric militancy. No ethnic group has the monopoly to cause war, vandalise pipelines, gun peddling and cripple the economy but we elect not to do so based on the presumption that the government would truly be government so let the federal government respect it’s own court’s judgement or make a proclamation of anarchy by allowing all and sundry to take the laws into their hands said Mrs Tsaye Mene. She quoted ‘The learned trial judge on the Supreme Court case of the said land That ’ I finally reached the conclusion that the evidence of the plaintiff and their witnesses as to the founding of okerenghigho before me in this case is more credible than the defendants by name Akpta and his followers who settled on the land with the permission of the plaintiffs ancestors. And I find that they accepted his position as their customary tenants.

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https://youtu.be/wv13UO4vT5s

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Maritime varsity: Omadino community tasks lawmakers on respect to rule of law

UROWAYINO WARAMI 11 OCT 2017 By Vera Opone WARRI—THE Omadino Management Committee has challenged the House of Representatives to live up to its role as a legislative body by refusing to succumb to the temptation of allowing the rule of force to triumph over the rule of law in the consideration of the submissions and arguments placed before it in the on-going public hearing with respect to the bill for the law to establish the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenghigho, wrongfully and illegally cited as Okerenkoko. According to Dr. Eyeokosi-Uwatse, R. A. Chairman of the Management Committee recently inaugurated by the Omadino Council of Elders with the blessing of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri Kingdom, “it will amount to a negation of civilisation for a set of people to be consistently allowed to force the hands of government backwards every time with the aid of the threat of violence. To encourage such development is to drive our society back into the state of nature reminiscent of the Thomas Hobbes analogy.” He emphasised that the Omadino people of Warri, who are the legal owners of the expanse of land on which the university is proposed, are not adverse to the establishment of the university; they only ask that the university is properly named as “Okerenghigho” in line with the Supreme Court Judgment already at the disposal of the House. Dr. Eyeokosi-Uwatse further argued that it, “it is wrong for anyone to insinuate that we do not want the establishment of this citadel of knowledge. Contrary to that insinuation, we do as a people want it and challenge the government to establish it with the name known to law. Nigeria should not be represented to the world as a lawless state; we cannot have the highest court in the land make pronouncement and the House of Representatives make legislative decisions that contempt that pronouncement. It will be the greatest error in this century for the legislative body to act in contempt of not just a court of law but that of the Supreme Court for temptation of fear of lawlessness.” He said that the Management Committee has already initiated a petition with the United Nations in respect of the incessant disrespect for court judgment gradually reducing this country to a state of nature. The community it is reported have lodged a petition of 200 pages with the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights on the failure of the Nigerian State to provide effective mechanism for prevention of and redress for actions which have the aim or effect of dispossessing the Indigenous People of Omadino (Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria) of their lands, territories and resources; all of which complaint is founded on the ground of article 8 (2) (b) of the United Nations Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, resolution 61/295; 1/2of 29 June, 2006.

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THE PROFILE OF CHIEF BARRISTER ROBINSON ORITSEMUMINOGHO ARIYO ,THE EGOGO OF WARRI KINGDOM.

Robinson Oritsemuminogho Ariyo was born in Ajagbodudu, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria. When in 1977 his father was transferred to Warri, Delta State of Nigeria, the family had to relocate to Warri with him and his siblings then as infants. In 1978 he was admitted into Ikengbuwa Primary School Warri from where he obtained his primary leaving Certificate. While at Ikengbuwa primary school, he demonstrated early tendency towards public speaking and writing representing the school in debates, quizzes and handwriting competitions. In 1984, Robinson Oritsemuminogho Ariyo gained admission into the prestigious St. Thomas Aquinas College Akure, Ondo State of Nigeria which in his deep believe provided him the unique foundational opportunity for learning and character formation. He obtained his Secondary School Certificate in 1989 from St. Thomas Aquinas College Akure and in 1990 gained admission into Edo State University, Ekpoma to study Philosophy and graduated in 1994. While in Edo State University, Ekpoma Robinson Oritsemuminogho Ariyo distinguished himself both in learning and character as evidenced by his winning of the Prestigious Osamekhian Memorial Award for the most morally and academically sound 300Level Student, an annual institutional award. In Obafemi Awolowo University, he achieved the mark for the 10 best students in each faculty of the University, a yearly academic rating designed for turning out the best students in each faculty of the Institution. He also won the award for the most outstanding Legal Counsel: Students’ Union Judicial Council, Obafemi Awolowo University 1999/2000. He represented the University as lead speaker and won several trophies including 2nd best National speaker, the Junior Chambers Collegiate Speech contest 1998, Best speaker, Western Nigerian Universities Law Debate 1999/2000, Best Speaker, University of Lagos Law Debate just to mention but a few. Besides active legal practice, Mr Ariyo is an experienced peace building and development practitioner. He obtained short term certificates in Non-Violent Transformation of Conflict, Geneva University of Peace, Geneva, 2005, Media and Peace Building, American University, Washington DC, 2013 Women and Peace Building, American University, Washington DC, 2013. Based on his wealth of experience in peace building, Mr. Ariyo Robinson was engaged by the International Foundation for Education and Self Help (IFESH) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in several conflict mitigation activities in the Niger-Delta. In recognition of Mr. Ariyo’s skills, the Delta State Government engaged his services in the peace efforts, resulting in the bilateral agreement between the Ijaws and the Itsekiris of Warri. He consulted as a peace building programmer for the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger-Delta PIND for 3 years. PIND is an establishment of Chevron Incorporation with focus on provision of socio-economic support for communities in the Niger-Delta. Mr. Ariyo Robinson is a Legal Practitioner and Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with 15 (Fifteen) years of post-call experience. His Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree is of the Obafemi Awolowo University, IIe-Ife, Nigeria in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy which he earlier on obtained from the Edo State University, Ekpoma. In 1999, Mr Ariyo was President, National Association of Itsekiri Students, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as well as Head, Council of Presidents, Delta State Student’s Union O.A.U. Chapter IIe-Ife 1998/99. He was President Equity Chambers, Faculty of Law, O.A.U, IIe-Ife 1999-2000, Editor Ife Law News 1998/99, Editor and Publisher, Defunct Warri Today News Paper, Member, Presidential Committee on Ethnics and mentorship, Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is the proud winner of the INYC most outstanding human activists, 2017 Mr. Ariyo is the Managing Director of Robinson Ariyo & Co, a law firm with operational bases in Warri and Abuja. He has for over a decade provided support for social development organizations across the Niger-Delta region in the course of which he helped with several researches, analysis and advocacy all of which he has willingly volunteered for the development of the region. IN his first sojourn into politics, he emerged as the candidate of the APC, in the 2015 State Houses of Assembly elections during which he contested the Warri South Constituency 1 seat in Delta State House of Assembly. He won the APC award for the most popular candidate in Warri Federal Constituency. Mr. Ariyo is happily married with children and currently resident in Warri but does active legal practice in Abuja and Warri respectively. He is an active Chess player and served as the Chess Club President in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife for 2 (Two) years. He was also the General Legal Counsel of the Collegiate Jaycees.

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AS WARRI AGOG FOR ROBINSON ARIYO ESQ Do you see a man skilled and dillegent in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings and great men. He will not stand in the presence of unknown men - Proverbs 22:29 I wish to express my joy over the recognition and conferment of chieftaincy title on Robinson Ariyo ESQ today by Ogiame Ikenwoli , The Olu of Warri . It is indeed most gratifying to see your efforts in helping humanity being recognized and rewarded. You have been the voice of the common man and passionate in championing the freedom of the man on the street without knowing that one day, you will be recognized for it . I saw that in you when I pitched tent with you in the 2015 general election where you represented the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Warri South Constituency I against all odds but today I have been vindicated. There is no doubt that your own chieftaincy conferment is different because its not hereditary or family lineage but on hard earned reputation and contributions to development particularly to the Itsekiri Nation. Ogiame Ikenwoli has shown that you don't really need to have the earth for you to be recognized. Just be diligent and steadfastness in whatever you are doing, you will stand amongst kings and not mean men. You are indeed a model to lots of people coming behind in instilling leadership qualities by example in your consistent show on issues that deal with our development. It is my prayer that very soon you shall reach the peak of the legal profession, Political and in Academic world. God Bless Ogiame Ikenwoli , God Bless The Ancient Warri Kingdom God Bless Delta State God Bless Nigeria.

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It is not about getting tired of a situation but ready to consciously exposed well crafted and deliberate strategy that will uphold CHANGE in our communities and in our nation. The question then arises, are we not still thinking in a political line? Would we jettison our political party candidate for the best candidate in another party ? Would we not still betray our nation for political gain? Would we not mortgage our nation to be on top politically? We cannot continue to make same mistake and expect different result. In conclusion, Changing our attitude and our thought is the gate way to itsekiri development.

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It is not about getting tired of a situation but ready to consciously exposed well crafted and deliberate strategy that will uphold CHANGE in our communities and in our nation. The question then arises, are we not still thinking in a political line? Would we jettison our political party candidate for the best candidate in another party ? Would we not still betray our nation for political gain? Would we not mortgage our nation to be on top politically? We cannot continue to make same mistake and expect different result. In conclusion, Changing our attitude and our thought is the gate way to itsekiri development.

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#Justice4JoyOdama RE: CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR THE MURDER OF MY DAUGHTER, JOY ODAMA BY ALHAJI USMAN ADAMU. My name is Mrs Philomena ODAMA. I am a native of Yala LGA in Cross River State. I am resident at old Karmo village in Abuja. Joy Odama is my first daughter. She is a 200 level undergraduate of Mass Communications at the Cross River State University; who just returned for Christmas holidays and met her untimely death. On the 18th Dec, 2016, one Elizabeth from Ogoja LGA, Cross River State who is my daughters friend visited us and told Joy to accompany her to see one Alhaji Usman Adamu who she said was a philanthropist that gives scholarship to young students. She said the Alhaji lives in the same neighborhood, precisely at Ibro Quarters, Old Karmo-Abuja. Knowing Elizabeth as a long time friend and without any suspicion, she innocently followed her to the said Alhaji's house. On getting there, my daughter called me that the Alhaji wants to see me. I asked why and she said that the Alhaji wants to help her with her education with other girls who lives in the neighborhood who are there with their parents. I quickly got to the house and Alhaji Usman ADAMU promised to help in my daughters education and equally promised to get me a job with the Nigerian Security & Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). We exchanged numbers, i graciously thanked him and left with my daughter. Two days later on the 20th December, 2016 in the evening, Alhaji Usman ADAMU called my daughter and said his house help is seriously sick and that she should please come and look after her while he goes to get a doctor. He also said he has called other girls (i.e the other girls we saw in his house the previous day). Joy told me and i allowed her to go. That was the last time i saw my daughter alive. After a while on the same day, i called Joy and she said she was at the house with the other girls and will soon be coming back. About an hour later, when she was not yet back, i called severally but she did not pick. Out of curiosity, i called Alhaji Usman ADAMU on his number 08179606208 but he too did not pick. I became more worried and went to the house but couldn't gain access to Alhaji's apartment. The next morning, i called Joy and Alhaji ADAMU several times to no avail. Eventually, Alhaji ADAMU picked his call and to my surprise, he pretended not to know who i was nor who Joy was. When i pressed further he said " did anything happen to Joy" as if she does not know where she is. At this point i knew all was not well. In panic, i called my husband (who was not around at the time due to the nature of his work), my relatives and neighbors and we all agreed to report to the police. As we were about stepping out to the police station, we saw two policemen in our house who asked us to follow them to the police station at Karmo. On getting there, the DPO informed us that all the girls that went to Alhaji's house are all unconscious; that one is not responding to treatment while the others are responding. We requested to see Joy but we were turned down and asked to come back the next day. We pressed further but the DPO insisted we go and come back as directed. The next day being 22nd December, 2016 i went back to the police station in company of relatives and a lawyer who is a close family friend. To my utter shock, i was told that my daughter was dead and has been taken to the mortuary. We asked to know how, why and what led to Joy's death and the DPO, CSP NKEM RAPHAEL declined further comments. Our lawyer asked if the Alhaji has been arrested but CSP NKEM RAPHAEL bluntly told us that as far he is concerned, Alhaji is not culpable, no crime has been committed, that my daughter died a natural death and he cannot arrest Alhaji Usman ADAMU. DPO NKEM told the lawyer to take the matter to his superiors but that he has already informed them about the matter and as far as they are concerned, Alhaji ADAMU cannot be arrested. We requested to know the whereabout of my daughters corpse and the other girls responding to treatment so we can interview them. The DPO directed us to Federal Medical Center, Airport Road Abuja and on getting to the mortuary, we discovered body has already been embalmed. When we asked why my daughters body was embalmed without our knowledge, one of the attendant's confided in us that Alhaji Usman ADAMU first brought the dead body in the early hours of 21st Dec,2016 claiming to be the father of the girl. But on seeing the body, they suspected foul play and insisted that they will not admit the body until they see a police or doctor's report. Alhaji Usman ADAMU left and came back with DPO NKEM RAPHAEL of Karmo Divisional Police who ordered them to immediately embalm the body. We also discovered that the other girls the DPO claimed were on admission in the hospital were not there. We went back to the police station to find out why our daughters body would be embalmed without our prior consent. At the police station, i saw Martha, one of the girls whom i met at Alhaji Usman ADAMU'S house. She was by the police canter and i asked her what happened to Joy and she narrated the following; " on the 20th of December, 2016 Alhaji Usman ADAMU called her to come to his house, that he has already called the other girls to help him look after his house help who was very sick. But her elder brother ( Emmanuel, who was also in the police station with her) stopped her from going to Alhaji's house that day. But that she sneaked very early in the morning to Alhaji's house the following day and on getting there she was shocked at what she saw. She saw my daughter , Joy ODAMA lying lifeless on the floor and the other girls were stooling and vomiting. She became afraid and tried to run out of the house but Alhaji Usman ADAMU and some inside the house held her back and brought her to the police station. When i was about asking her further questions, some police men shouted at her to stop talking and whisked her away. We went back again to the DPO, CSP NKEM RAPHAEL to ask why my daughter was embalmed without our knowledge and that we heavily suspect foul play and demanded for an explanation and further investigation. The DPO reiterated his initial position and bluntly told us not to pursue this case further, that he would advise us to dialogue with Alhaji Usman ADAMU for our daughters burial. He insisted he has nothing more to do with us until we agree to meet with Alhaji Usman ADAMU. On the advise of a family friend, we agreed to meet with Alhaji Usman ADAMU to shed more light on what actually transpired. On the agreed date of the meeting being 24th Dec., 2016 by 10am, we were at the police station with our lawyer but on sighting the lawyer, the DPO lied that the meeting has been postponed. When the lawyer asked why, he said that the Alhaji was not around and that his number is not connecting, that he will call the lawyer and inform her of the next date for the meeting. Immediately the lawyer left, the DPO quickly called us inside his office and we were so surprised to see Alhaji Usman ADAMU sitting right there. The DPO told us to put off our phones and drop it on his desk , that he does not want the meeting to be recorded. In attendance was the DPO, CSP NKEM RAPHAEL, DCO, SP MICHAEL OBIORA, the Inspector Crime and Alhaji Usman ADAMU. On our side was my husband, myself, relatives and a family friend. The DPO was the first to speak. He said if we know what is good for us we should agree to whatever the Alhaji will offer us and desist from further pursuing this matter. Alhaji Usman ADAMU then offered to settle the matter with Three Hundred Thousand Naira(N300,000) and we became infuriated with anger, left home and informed the lawyer what happened. The lawyer insisted that further investigation be carried out. The DPO again called for a second meeting where we met with AIG Umoru Usman Shehu; AIG Intelligence, Force Headquarters Abuja. AIG Umoru told us bluntly also that investigation in this matter is closed and cannot be reopened. He said Alhaji Usman ADAMU should add an additional One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) to his initial offer. He told us harshly that that is the much he can do in this matter and that is his final decision and it is in our best interest to accept the offer. At this point, apparently sensing the threat in his tone, a family friend present called us aside and advised that we collect the money to give them a false believe that we have agreed to their terms while we go home and think of the next line of action, including having it as an exhibit. As it stands now, it is very visible the blind and audible to the deaf that Alhaji Usman ADAMU has people in high places within the Nigerian Police Force and have connived with them to deny our poor family justice. So, i am passionately pleading and calling on the government and the general public to come to my aid so that my daughters gruesome death will not be in vain. Investigations has revealed that my daughter, Joy Odama is not the first girl that Alhaji Usman ADAMU has killed on the pretext of helping them. I am using this medium to appeal to all to help me seek for justice in the painful death of my daughter. Thank You. Yours faithfully, Mrs Philomena ODAMA.

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Navy Kills Itsekiri, Ekpan Youths In WRPC Jetty Feelers just reaching Fresh Angle International say a young Itsekiri man believed to be about 35 years old has been shot  By: Tonebsky Nesta  Agbolu(clad in Orange top)& the unidentified Ekpan youth killed by the Navy Personnel Feelers just reaching Fresh Angle International say a young Itsekiri man believed to be about 35 years old has been shot dead at WRPC Jetty at NPDC yard in Ifiekporo, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State by a Navy Personnel attached to the oil and gas outfit. The young man identified simply as Agbolu, Ifiekporo Community liaison Officer, CLO to A&E Petrol was shot dead at about 3pm today, Friday May 12 when he and some Ifiekporo indigenes allegedly failed to reach a compromise with an Ekpan born contractor given the job to repair the failed jetty. The contractor reportedly contacted some Ekpan youths, possibly to ward off any confrontation. It was in the course of the ensuring disagreement that the unidentified Naval Personnel shot and killed Agbolu, a young man with two children, even as speculation also has it that one of the Ekpan youths was equally shot dead by the Naval Personnel. It would be recalled that another Itsekiri young man, Omas Dottie was killed by an unidentified policeman in December 2016 at Ifiekporo and his corpse is still in the morgue as his family are pursuing legal battle with NNPC.

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Delta by-election: PDP, APC in big battle for warri South

Posted By: Sola O’Neil On: April 25, 2017 Southsouth Regional Editor Sola O’Neil writes on the battle by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties for the Warri South constitutency 1 seat in the Delta State House of Assembly, which became vacant following the demise of Hon. Omawumi Udoh, the longest serving woman member of the House. Ordinarily, the Delta State House of Assembly by-election coming up tomorrow, April 26 in Warri South Constituency 1 ought to be a contest among political parties. The winner, who will serve barely two years, will fill the void left by the death of Hon Omawumi Udoh, the longest serving member of the Assembly, who lost her battle against cancer last December. But, the contest has assumed a lot more significance because of the actors and plots to grab power in the 2019 elections. The first twist is that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis at the national level is affecting the state chapter and Warri South West chapter. Already, a court has ruled that the Sherrif’s faction of the party is the ‘authentic’ PDP, much to the chagrin of the supporters of former Kaduna state governor, Ahmed Makarfi, who is locked in the battle for the soul of the PDP with Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State. The Delta State governor, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa belongs to Markafi PDP. Fearing the outcome of a Supreme Court case, asked his candidate, Mrs. Shola Ogbemi Daibo, to switch to the Accord Party, where she easily picked the ticket to run for the election. The structure of the Makarfi-led PDP is believed to be behind Mrs Daibo, younger sibling of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, and the Accord Party (AP) in Delta state is now jokingly referred to by PDP members as ‘According to PDP’ (AP). The PDP/AP accord goes way back in the state; AP is often used as a surrogate for displaced and aggrieved PDP members. In 2007, when former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, insisted, against party’s faithful’s will, to field his wife for the Delta North Senatorial contest, Senator Patrick Osakwe, a key ally of former Governor James Ibori, got Accord Party’s ticket to run against Mrs. Nnaemaka Ali. Osakwe won the contest with the support of Ibori and the governorship candidate, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Similarly, Victor Ochei, the former Speaker of House of Assembly, adopted the option after losing out to Okowa in the December 7, 2015 primary. Sadly for Ochei, who is now a member of the APC, he didn’t get the same result as Osakwe. The above factors become more intriguing with the entry of Prince Stanley Emiko of the All Progressive Party (APC). Emiko is Mrs Daibo’s nephew and son of Prince Yemi Emiko, a very influential member of the inner circle of Olu Ogiame Ikenwoli’s palace. The youthful Emiko is the major hurdle on the path of his aunt, and his ambition is creating ripples in the palace. It has polarised the prince and princess. “Never mind what you hear that ‘all contestants are Olu’s children’, there is always a candidate that is favoured and preferred and the case of this election is no exception,” a source added. But, Prince Yemi Emiko, the palace spokesperson, Mrs Daibo’s brother and father of Prince Emiko, said the palace was happy about the contest and not distracted by it. “The palace is happy because for the first time the royal house directly has an opportunity to put somebody in the state house, so if it falls either way it is coming to the palace. That’s the attitude of the palace and we don’t have any bitter undercurrent about this at all because we believe that it is also very good for Nigeria’s democracy. “I don’t see where the bad blood will come from because it’s all in the family. No undercurrent at all. If it goes either way, it’s still in the palace, that’s our attitude about it. We are one big happy family, so if it comes from the left or the right, we are happy about it and then we will all meet, as you will see later, and celebrate victory because it’s going to be our victory, whichever way the pendulum swings, there’s no bitterness at all.” Beyond the palace politics, there are also concerns that the contest could further widen the PDP/APC division among Itsekiri leaders, groups and individuals. The mudslinging and social media brickbats, could drive the wedge deeper among the royal family members. However, the main contest is not between the Emiko family members; the real gladiators are the PDP and APC overlords. In the ring of the PDP in this regard are Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the Makarfi-led PDP on the one hand, and Chief Ayiri Emami, one of the most visible faces of the APC in Warri politics and other members of the party. The billionaire, it was gathered, was instrumental to the emergence of Emiko, and for him, it is the real first battle since dumping the PDP for the APC in 2015. “The battle takes a real significance for the characters involved because Ayiri, a former member of the PDP and key player in past elections, knows all the PDP election tricks; he even devised some of them. So, it is a game of football with two monkeys as goalkeepers; who scores and how? “Ayiri will be desperate to prove that the PDP lost a magic wand when he left them, while the PDP in Warri wants to prove that his departure has not affected their structure. This is a grudge match and all the trappings of a great contest are inherent,” a political analyst, who is affiliated with one of the political parties, said. But, apart from being a clash of personalities, the real issue at stake is the 2019 election. This election will be the first conducted by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) in the state since the PDP lost power at the centre. Despite the lack of strong opposition in the PDP controlled state, Governor Okowa is still vulnerable in the absence of the ‘Abuja Connection’ that wrought his resounding victory in 2015. A defeat for his candidate would embolden the APC and shake the PDP in Warri South and the two other Warri LGAs, from where PDP gets the votes that decide elections, especially the gubernatorial. It would be a pointer of who wins the area in the next House of Representatives, Senatorial and Governorship election. Alluding much to this, Ayiri told The Nation, “We want to win the election; both parties want to win because we know who is who in the area and we know those who do the job. Our determination is that the best candidate should win.” Also for the palace, the contest has some ramifications: The outcome of the election will affect relationships among the chiefs and the family members who might be perceived to be supporting or bringing one or the other down. Ayiri insisted that Ogiame Ikenwoli is neutral: “Some persons are putting pressure on our respected king to ask the boy (Stanley Emiko) to step down, but he said they are his children and they should go and slug it out.”

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DELTA STATE GOV. OKOWA SPITS FIRE, ACCUSES ITSEKIRIS WITHIN HIS CAUCUS, OF BETRAYAL. By Chidinma Nwakwe. The preparation of the Makafi/Okowa led faction of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) towards the Warri South Constituency1 Bye-Election, has taken a new toll. The New Media News Crew, gathered from a reliable source within the PDP, that the governor is very angry with his people, over the recent leakage of their plot concerning the Warri South Constituency1 Bye-Election. According to the report, the governor said, judging from the accuracy of the report by one Mr. Oteri Omowumi of the Online Political Observer (OPO), it was clear that someone amongst them, the key leaders, is working for the APC in this bye-election. According to governor Okowa, it is a very serious act of betrayal of trust, for a leader to have divulge such classified information to a newsman. He said, owing to the recent behaviour of some of the Itsekiri leaders in the party, he believes the Itsekiri are up-to something, since the APC Candidate is a direct male descendant of the Royal Throne. According to the insider who specifically requested anonymity, the governor accused the Itsekiri leaders in his team of betrayal, saying he knows they are responsible for the leakage of their plot to violently intimidate and scare off the electorates in an attempt to rig the forthcoming Warri South bye election. The governors accused them of dragging him into the mess, when they already know they had their Itsekiri palace agenda of preferring a male descendant of the throne. According to the source, these were the governor's own words, " if you people think you can cajole me into releasing funds for this election that you have already traded in honour of your Royal Throne, u lie. In fact, I am out of this anti party crusade, I belong to PDP. I can no longer continue with this whole Accord Party rubbish" According to the report, honorable Michael Diden, (AKA Ejele) the house member representing Warri North, wanted to defend his people, when the governor yelled at him and asked him to shut up, and warned him never to try interrupting him again in his life. Angrily the governor walked out of the meeting, bringing it to an abrupt end. According to the insider, for the first time,he saw a different person in Sen. Okowa. On their way out, Okowa calmly said, he will deal decisively with the Itsekiris, whom he tagged betrayers.

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OMADINO COMMUNITY OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMEDU BUHARI

11th April, 2017. HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ASO ROCK VILLA, ABUJA. Your Excellency Sir,   INCESSANT MARGINALISATION AND OPPRESSION OF THE PEOPLE OF OMADINO WITH THE ACTIVE INDULGENCE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA HIS EXCELLENCY, PROFESSOR YEMI OSIBANJO AND THE MULTI NATIONAL CORPORATIONS OPERATING IN THE REGION: A FORMAL COMPLAINT Your Excellency Sir, on behalf of all sons and daughters of Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria (hereinafter also referred to as “the Community”) I, as Chairman of the Community hereby humbly protest and vehemently condemn the incessant marginalisation and oppression of the people of the Community. Our extant complaint is accentuated by the proposal and on-going consideration of the bill for an Act to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria Okerenkoko sponsored by Distinguished Senator James Manager, Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the Senate. As Your Excellency is aware, Itsekiri Communities in Warri Kingdom made up of Warri South, Warri South-West, Warri North and other Local Government Areas are the biggest oil and gas producing communities in Delta State. We have in the past few weeks, keenly followed the proposal and consideration of the bill for an Act to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria “Okerenghigho” written wrongly as “Okerenkoko”. We hereby commend the university project in all its ramifications except with regards to the proposal to give it a name that constitutes an outright contempt of the Court of Appeal as per the judgment in Appeal No: CA/B/230/2010 CHIEF THOMAS EKPEMUPOLO & 4 ORS VS. GODWIN EDREMODA & 5 ORS. This complaint has become imperative due to fact that His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, the Vice President was recently accredited with a statement which reads: “Justice can only prevail when there is peace”, suggesting in effect that justice is only attainable where there is peace; apparently making reference to the call by the Community for the respect for the rule of law with regards to the establishment of the proposed Maritime University. We are however consoled by the 1965 statement of Malcolm X when he said; “You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or who says it”. While we may excuse the Vice President on the ground that he might in all honesty be oblivious of the lawful name of the location of the proposed University, we urge Your Excellency to countenance the fact that the globally acclaimed success of this administration is attributable to the dual factors of respect for the rule of law and zero tolerance for corruption. With respect to the proposed Maritime University more specifically, permit us to reiterate the following corrections with a view to placing the facts in proper perspective and ensuing that Your Excellency is availed the privilege cogent and verifiable pieces of information with which to make the final policy decision in the circumstances and prevent a situation where Your Excellency’s administration is hoodwinked into being used as a tool by one ethnic group to fraudulently convert the property of another. Your Excellency, as law abiding and peace loving people, we are not completely incapable of violence; the nature of which can cripple the economy of this country; bearing in mind of course that the community accounts for an enviable chunk of the National crude oil production quota. The following facts are material to the points raised above: That the title to the vast area of land encompassing the location of the proposed university was a subject of litigation for over 40 years as can be deciphered from the judgment of the Court of Appeal in this regards; a copy of which has already been transmitted to Your Excellency prior to the lodgement of this complaint. As Your Excellency would have read, the case progressed from the trial court to the appellate court during the period in review. That the area of land subject matter of the said judgement encapsulates the location of the proposed University. That the judgment which is that of one of the highest courts in our country has not been set aside; neither is there any order of court sought or made contrary to the declarative orders contained therein. The judgment clearly confers title to the said portion of land on the people of the Community, who are absolutely of Itsekiri ethnic extraction and under the over-lordship of the Olu of Warri. That the coastal area of Delta State of Nigeria is comprised of two major ethnic groups (the Ijaws and the Itsekiris), whereas the Delta South Senatorial District represented by Senator James Manager (who proposed the said bill) is made up of Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups respectively. The Distinguished Senator is of Ijaw ethnic extraction. That there has been a very frantic attempt by a group of persons led by Government Ekpemupolo A.K.A “Tompolo” and his cronies to forcefully annex the said property; which development is within the knowledge of the Distinguished Senator James Manager. That there is a subsisting EFCC investigation surrounding the sale and purchase of the parcel of land subject matter of our compliant with regards to which the Community is the petitioner thereat. That as part of the grand design to achieve this illegal annexure even in the face of the subsisting judgments as mentioned above, the said group of people has contrary to the lawful and globally acknowledged name of the location of the proposed University, Okerenghigho begun calling and naming it Okerenkoko. In one of the judgments in reference, Justice Obaseki held as follows: “I find as a fact that the land in dispute is called Okerenghigho by the Plaintiffs who are Itsekiri and Okerenkoko by the Ijaws who are the Defendants”. The said judgment was delivered in favour of the Itsekiris. We also invite the attention of Your Excellency to the Google Map containing the locally and internationally recognized code for Okerenghigho and not Okerenkoko; as there is no known code for Okerenkoko. The fraud has escalated to a desperate level where the said group of people registered same with Google Map a few months ago to show Okerenkoko in place of Okerenghigho; forgetting that the Nigerian Postal code database does not recognise Okerenkoko but only Okerenghigho. That we elect at this stage, to believe therefore that the imposition of the name; “Okerenkoko” on “Okerenghigho” may not have been one done deliberately to the knowledge of the Vice President; hence the need for the current compliant. That there is currently an on-going legal battle about those who are lawfully entitled to the compensation paid in respect of the property which is now a subject of investigation by the EFCC. That some multi-national corporations particularly Chevron Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, have also elected to act in flagrant disregard for the said judgments; thereby giving the impression that the only gesture to which the industry responds is violence which of course as Your Excellency knows is not the preserve of any ethnic group. Consequently, we implore Your Excellency, to use Your Excellency’s good offices to advance the course of justice in the circumstances of this case by immediately ordering an investigation into the truth about the lawful name of the location of the proposed University to avoid a situation where another round of violence would be occasioned in the region which might further worsen the economic situation in the country; as this administration cannot afford to act in flagrant disrespect for the afore-cited judgments of several competent courts of law across this great country. We repose confidence in the ability of Your Excellency to do the needful in the circumstances and in accordance with the oaths of office which Your Excellency proudly took on assumption of office especially as it relates to upholding the rule of law at all times in the discharge of Your Excellency’s noble duties. We are prepared and willing to provide Your Excellency’s good offices with further information as may be required in the circumstances. Consequently, we urge Your Excellency’s good offices to wade into this situation timely enough to prevent any eventuality that might otherwise be occasioned. We anticipate the usual quick response of Your Excellency to issues of this nature.  Yours Faithfully, …………………………………………………………………………………………… ORITSEWEYINMI EMMANUEL AGBONEKUYA AGINEJUONE (Chairman, Omadino Community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria)

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THE CASE OF ILLEGAL NAMING AND ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR THE PROPOSED MARITIME UNIVERSITY AT OKERENGHIGHO WRONGLY NAMED OKERENKOKO

THE PRESIDENCY AND THE SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA IN RESPECT TO THE RULE OF LAW: THE CASE OF ILLEGAL NAMING AND ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR THE PROPOSED MARITIME UNIVERSITY AT OKERENGHIGHO WRONGLY NAMED OKERENKOKO The Nigerian people KNOW that the rule of law is unambiguously enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and that a democratic government whose governance does not obey the rule of law is dictactive. The rule of law is captured in Section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended that “This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law. Subsection (3) further provides that “If any other Law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other Law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”. late Justice Taylor in Olayori’s case, (1969) 2 All N.L.R at page 308, said, “…If we are to have our actions guided and restrained in certain ways for the benefit of society in general and individual members in particular, then whatever status, whatever post we hold, we must succumb to the rule of law. The alternative is anarchy and chaos….” Jan 24, 2016 - The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu made some remarks at a dinner organised by the International Law Institute (ILI), Washington DC, for its alumni in Nigeria. He noted that no country could experience meaningful development without the rule of law. He further said that “Democracy becomes gravely imperilled if the powers of the judiciary to enforce compliance with the rule of law are subjected to legal, extra-legal, and sociological limitations. The senator also said “Our task as an emerging democracy is to continue to build a society where government agencies as well as individuals and private entities must be subjected to and accountable under the law. The lawmaker also disclosed while speaking on the topic: ‘Strengthening the Foundations of Rule of Law in Nigeria’, at a public lecture in honour of late Prof. G. O. S Amadi, a renowned Professor of Law from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus (UNEC), that anything short of respecting the rule of law would lead to anarchy. He insisted that flagrant disobedience to judicial pronouncements remained a major threat to rule of law and survival of Nigeria’s democracy. He further said that “The efficacy of the rule of law is hinged on the compliance by governmental bodies and agencies with decisions of courts and other judicial or adjudicatory bodies. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, disobedience to court orders appears to be the norm rather than the exception in many facets of our national life,” Ekweremadu further stressed that the rule of law is indispensable in any society that craves for justice, equity, and fairness. Nnamani JSC (as he then was) reminded us that the Judiciary is “the guardian of our Constitution, the protector of our cherished governance under the Rule of Law, the guardian of our fundamental rights, the enforcer of all the laws without which the stability of society can be threatened, the maintainer of public order and public security, the guarantee against arbitrariness and generally the only insurance for a just and happy society.” and we believe so it should be. In the case of Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu, Oputa, Jsc (as he then was) conceptualized the rule of law in the following words: The rule of law presupposes that the state is subject to the law, that the judiciary is a necessary agency of the rule of law. This honorable part for justice we have since taken to prove to government, and today the Senate of Nigeria, Itsekiri people of Omadino own the entire area for the proposed maritime UNIVERSITY in it original name as highlited in the judgements of compentent courts of law below CASE 1: In Suit No.w/20/46, Adurumokumor (Ijaw) acting for himself and on behalf of Bakokodia Ijaw Community took action against Kponu (Itsekiri) of Omadino for a declaration of title to the land described as Bakokodia. The true Position is that the Ijaw inhabitants of Bakokodia and its environs came from Western Ijaw and were permitted by Chanomi Iye on the authority of Omadino people to settle there. Ademola J. dismissed Adurumokumors’ action on the ground that the people of Bakododia had failed to prove their title to the land claimed by them. As the Ijaws persisted in demanding tributes and rents from those using the land and fishing in the rivers, Omadino people, represented by Chief Sillo and Edremoda Golly, sued Adurumokumor on behalf of Bakokodia people in Warri High Court and successfully obtained a declaration of title over Bakokodia and the surrounding lands and rivers (Okenrenghigho inclusive). The court awarded damages for trespass against the Ijaws who, according to the Judge, were put on the land by Omadino people who acknowledge the over-lordship rights of the Olu of Warri. The Ijaws went to the West African Court of Appeal and lost. CASE 2 After this, the Ijaws continued to disregard the above judgments, and Omadino people sued them for an order of forfeiture at the Warri High Court. Ultimately at the Supreme Court, the Ijaws accepted the judgment in which they clearly acknowledged Omadino’s ownership of the land. See Suits Nos.W/29/51, WACA No. 3707, W/37/61 and SC/393/64. CASE 3 Okenrenghigho, another Ijaw settlement in Gbaramatu also fell under the axe of the Omadino people. In Suit 30/62 Chief Sillo (Itsekiri) versus James Uluba (Ijaw), Justice Obaseki held that the Ijaws of Okerenghigho are tenants of Omadino. The Ijaws then appealed to the Supreme Court presided over by Elias, C.J., Sowewimo and Ibekwe S.C.JJ. in Suit No. SC.37/1973.They lost. The effect of these judgments is that the whole of Gbaramatu area proved beyond doubt is owned by Itsekiris of Omadino under the over Lordship of the Olu of Warri. Secondly, the original map of Bendel State shows clearly these lands with these names as Okerenghigho and Bakokodia as against the political name Okerenkoko and Kokodiagbene done by Ijaws of gbaramatu who by history as written by their own historians and as shown in the ruling of various court judgments migrated to itsekiri lands. Niger Delta NEED PEACE..and the ONLY path to sustainable peace in societies is the rule of law hence We request the federal government and indeed the senate WITHOUT FAVOUR OR SENTIMENT to rise up in defense of the rule of law and name the place as stipulated in the court judgments above and acquire the land from it original owners. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. NIGER DELTA ALLIANCE FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

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Resolve with the Dottie family or face “Macabre Dance with” - Itsekiri youths

By: Celestine Chijoke Ukah p>Indications are rife that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC and the Petroleum and Pipeline Marketing Company, PPMC may be heading for legal fireworks with the Dottie family of Warri over the gruesome murder of one of their sons, late Omayone Dottie. The late Omayone Dottie, father of a year and seven months’ old twin was gruesomely shot dead in cold blood December 18, 2016 at Ifiekporo in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, by an undisclosed Police Officer engaged to guard the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and its subsidiaries. Addressing newsmen Thursday March 16 at the country home of the deceased, representative of Dottie family and uncle to late Omayone Dottie, Pastor Samuel Dottie, stated that till date “no reason has been given why he (Omayone Dottie) was murdered in cold blood”. While noting that “no sign of remorse has been shown to the immediate family of late Mr. Omayone and the larger Dottie family by the trigger happy Policemen and the management of NNPC” as well as its subsidiaries, Pastor Dottie alleged that “some Police Officers stationed along the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation/Warri Refining and Petro- Chemical Company (WRPC) Petroleum Product Marketing Company, PPMC have boasted that arrested armed robbery suspects will be traded out to take the place/and or fall of the actual Policemen who are involved in the plot that led to the death of late Mr. Omayone Dottie”. The Dottie family are equally demanding that the Delta State Commissioner of Police should “initiate criminal proceeding against the Policemen that conspired and the one that shot at Omayone Dottie” as well as the management of NNPC and its subsidiaries. They also want to know the identity of the Policemen who pulled the trigger that killed late Dottie. Meanwhile, President of Itsekiri National Youths Council INYC, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro has given the Police hierarchy, the management of NNPC and its subsidiaries seven days ultimatum with effect from Thursday March 16 to resolve with the Dottie family or face “Macaba Dance with” Itsekiri youths. While pledging Itsekiri youths’ support for the Dottie family until they get justice, Comrade Agbateyiniro noted that Itsekiris will not accept any conspiracy to protect killers of late Omayone Dottie.