Delta: Uduaghan rejects Okpe ownership claims over Sapele, cautions Orodje

The Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has cautioned the Orodje of Okpe Major General Mujakperuo Agho (Rtd) against taking actions outside the territorial limits recognised by law, warning that such moves could trigger a communal crisis in Sapele, Delta State.

Uduaghan who spoke on Saturday, urged the Orodje to confine his activities strictly to the 510 acres of land granted to the Okpe people under the judgment in Chief Ayomanor v. Ginuwa (11 JELR 81222, W.A.C.A).

The warning followed reports of a proposed foundation-laying ceremony for a sub-palace by the Orodje of Okpe in Sapele town.

“I sincerely hope that the proposed foundation-laying ceremony of the sub-palace by the Orodje of Okpe is within the said 510 acres granted to the Okpes in the judgment of Chief Ayomanor v. Ginuwa (W.A.C.A),” Uduaghan said.

He cautioned that any activity outside the legally recognised area would have serious consequences.

“Anything outside this will be far-reaching and would be an invitation to communal crisis by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, and this will be resisted by every legal means possible,” he added.

Refuting claims by the Okpe that Sapele belongs exclusively to them, Uduaghan maintained that historical records support Itsekiri ownership of the town. He cited an intelligence report compiled by the colonial administration in 1930 on the Okpe-Sobo clan as evidence.

According to him, the report, prepared by L.E.A. Fellows, listed notable Okpe villages as Amukpe, Elume, Orerokpe and Gbukurusu, but did not include Sapele.

Uduaghan, who described himself as the administrator of Ugbekoko, Utonyatsere, Ajimele, Aji Dore, Irakpa and other Itsekiri communities within Sapele, said these areas fall under the overlordship of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

He further argued that the judgment often relied upon by the Okpe people does not confer ownership of Sapele on them.

“The judgment in Chief Ayomanor v. Ginuwa (W.A.C.A) did not grant the ownership of Sapele to the Okpes; rather, it granted 510 acres of land to the Okpes. The area of land granted is well known,” he said.

Uduaghan insisted that Sapele has never been the exclusive town of the Okpe people.

“Sapele is not the exclusive town of the Okpe people. Sapele, from time immemorial, belongs to the Itsekiri people,” he stated.

The development comes amid renewed tensions over land ownership and traditional authority in parts of Delta State, with community leaders urging restraint to prevent a breakdown of peace.