Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the Delta North senatorial district, has intervened in a heated land dispute between the Akpoma quarters of Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area and the Ogbe-Ozoma community of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Just weeks ago, an altercation erupted between Chief Chinedu Okeke, widely known as Ekwe Ogidi, a businessman who had purchased the land from the Akpoma community in a legitimate transaction, and a prominent real estate firm. The dispute arose because the Ogbe-Ozoma community had sold part of the land belonging to Akpoma, which had already been sold to Ekwe Ogidi, to the real estate firm. The situation quickly escalated into a free-for-all that threatened to turn violent, but for the timely intervention of law enforcement and Senator Nwoko.
The senator successfully facilitated negotiations between the two communities, establishing a committee chaired by Chief Dan Okenyi, a former Commissioner for Lands in Delta State, with Barr. F. N. Odunna serving as secretary. The committee’s report has been finalized after discussions involving representatives from the Ogbe-Ozoma community, Mr. Chinedu Okeke, and the Akpoma community leadership.
According to the report, the land in dispute rightfully belongs to the Akpoma community, which has legally sold it to Ekwe Ogidi. Part of the report states: “If the area allegedly sold to PWAN (the real estate firm) falls within the land owned by Akpoma village, Issele-Azagba, in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State, then that transaction is illegal, null, and void, as one cannot transfer a title which he does not possess.”
Recently, there has been a rise in land-grabbing activities, posing a threat to peaceful coexistence among communities and resulting in disinvestment. Anambra State and Delta State appear to be at the center of the crisis; this issue must be addressed without delay.
