The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has raised fresh concerns over the escalating land dispute in Amachai Community, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Council of Delta State, calling for an immediate halt to all forms of intimidation, harassment, trespass and the use of force in the area.
In a statement signed by its National President, Dr Kehinde Taiga, and made available to journalists in Asaba yesterday, the human rights group demanded strict respect for all subsisting court orders and injunctions, an objective and impartial investigation of any genuine criminal complaints, and the total withdrawal of police and military personnel from any land possession activities linked to the dispute.
CDHR also called for good-faith dialogue and reconciliation, to be led by community elders and relevant stakeholders, as a pathway to restoring peace and upholding the rule of law in the troubled community.
The group specifically appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to direct that all petitions arising from the Amachai Community dispute be handled exclusively by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Aina Adesina, “in the interest of fairness, professionalism and accountability.”
Condemning what it described as alleged land grabbing, contempt of court and the misuse of security agencies to intimidate or dispossess communities of their ancestral lands, CDHR warned that such actions are inimical to democracy, the rule of law and social stability.
“Land grabbers must not be allowed to provoke violence, sow division or undermine judicial authority in Amachai Community or anywhere else in Nigeria,” the group said, reiterating its commitment to the protection of fundamental human rights, the independence of the judiciary and the preservation of peace and constitutional order.
CDHR explained that Amachai Community is made up of four families—Umuezegbe, Umuezenzuo, Umugbala and Umurie—which, for generations, have operated under a recognised traditional governance structure.
Under this system, communal land is held in trust by the Diokpa, the eldest person among the four families, in accordance with customary law.
According to the rights group, the ongoing violations of the rule of law have not only threatened public peace but also undermined judicial authority and infringed on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people.
“The CDHR Nigeria expresses grave concern over the escalating tension and persistent violations of the rule of law arising from the protracted land dispute involving the Amachai Community of Okpanam, which is presently pending before courts of competent jurisdiction in Delta State,” the statement said.
CDHR noted that court proceedings arising from internal disagreements within the community date back to 2012. It recalled that judgments delivered by Justice M C Okoh of the High Court of Justice, Akwukwu-Igbo, did not vest ownership or possession of the disputed land in any faction referred to as Amachai Group A or B.
Rather, the court affirmed custodianship of the land in the Diokpa, in line with established custom and governance structure, stressing: “At no time did any court lawfully transfer the land to any external individual or corporate entity.”
The human rights body further alleged that certain writs of possession were obtained from another court without recourse to the High Court of Justice, Akwukwu-Igbo, which delivered the substantive judgment.
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