A chieftaincy and land dispute in Ogbogoro community in Obio Akpo Local Government Area of Rivers State that lasted for 14 years has been brought to an end by a State High court sitting in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
The presiding judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, in his judgement, declared Felix Amadi as the paramount ruler of the Ogbogoro community and head of the Rumukpalikwu-Ada family.
The chieftaincy tussle and land dispute between the family of Owhor and Dike of Ehiozu family and Felix Amadi of Rumukpalikwu-Ada family was brought to rest after the judgment.
Enebeli declared Chief Felix Amadi and his family as the rightful owners of the disputed land. He also restrained Owhor Dike and other claimants in the matter from interfering in both matters.
According to Justice Enebeli, the defendant proved his case beyond reasonable doubt and awarded the sum of 500,000 against the claimants.
He urged those who have built on the land before the case was taken to court to reach out to the family for a fresh negotiation.
He declared that those who bought land in the disputed area and developed it while the matter was in court are at the mercy of Chief Felix Amadi and members of his family.
Allegations of tampering with the parcel of land during the pendency of the matter in court by Collins Ihunda, Clifford Amadi, Letter Maxwell and two others who are members of Ehiozu family has been adjourned by Justice Enebeli till March 2022 for commencement of contempt proceedings.
Mr Amadi after the judgment at the court premises said the 14years legal battle has caused severe underdevelopment in the community and promised that the judgment would help restore peace, advising all to come together for the interest of development.
Meanwhile, there are agitations among developers who allegedly bought their properties from the Owhor family following the court ruling as many fear that their ownership could be revoked.
