Rivers Woji Gbalajam Land Dispute: King Eke Exposes Illegal Sales

• A land dispute over Gbalajam land in Rivers State involves two traditional figures, His Majesty Leslie Eke and Chief Emeka Ihunwo.
• Leslie Eke accuses Emeka Ihunwo of illegally selling parts of the land for 13 years without proper authority.
• Emeka Ihunwo claims Eke encroached on the land despite ongoing litigation, asserting his side won a court case that is now on appeal.
• Eke has mobilized 40 youths to secure the land, while Ihunwo alleges Eke brought "suspected cultists" and an excavator to the site.
• The dispute highlights significant risks for land transactions in the Woji Community due to conflicting claims and active legal challenges.

The protracted and contentious Rivers Woji Gbalajam land dispute carries significant implications for land acquisition and investment within Rivers State, particularly in the Woji Community and the broader Evo Kingdom.

A significant land dispute has emerged within Rivers State, specifically concerning the ancestral Gbalajam land situated between the Woji Community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area and Alesa in the Eleme Local Government Area. This conflict involves prominent traditional figures, His Majesty Leslie Eke, recognized as the traditional ruler of Evo Kingdom (Nyeresi-Eli Woji), and Chief Emeka Ihunwo, who is also referred to as the Paramount Ruler of the Woji Community. The core of the contention revolves around preventing the unauthorized sale of this communal land.

The dispute escalated publicly when His Majesty Leslie Eke addressed journalists on a Tuesday, accusing Chief Emeka Ihunwo of illicitly selling portions of the Gbalajam land for a period of 13 years without any consultation with the traditional palace. Eke issued a public warning, advising individuals against engaging in land transactions with Ihunwo, asserting that Ihunwo lacks the legitimate authority to conduct such sales within the community. This public clarification from Eke came shortly after Ihunwo himself alleged that Eke had encroached upon the community's land, despite the existence of ongoing legal proceedings pertaining to the property.

The heart of the Gbalajam land dispute lies in the conflicting claims of traditional authority and legitimacy to oversee Woji Community lands. His Majesty Leslie Eke firmly states that Chief Emeka Ihunwo is not a member of the Woji Royal Family, and therefore possesses no inherent right to sell communal property. Eke further clarified that Ihunwo's historical role was merely that of a palace secretary to Eke's late father, who was the former king of the community. Eke highlighted that Ihunwo's surname, Ihunwo, has never been associated with the rule of Woji, making his current self-proclaimed custodianship of Woji lands contrary to established custom.

Eke articulated that the community's decision to intervene after 13 years of alleged sales by Ihunwo was driven by the principle that the right to sell Woji land is not Ihunwo's by birthright. He emphasized that a former palace secretary cannot simply assume the mantle of a king for the purpose of land transactions. Conversely, Chief Emeka Ihunwo is publicly addressed as the Paramount Ruler of the Woji Community, suggesting a rival claim to traditional leadership that underpins his actions and assertions regarding the Gbalajam land.

The Gbalajam land is not only a subject of public dispute but also of active litigation, with both parties acknowledging its status as a matter before a competent court. Chief Emeka Ihunwo claims that his side has already prevailed in this legal battle, stating that "We won this matter. They went to Appeal." He also confirmed that all involved parties had been served with court processes in October, indicating ongoing judicial engagement. Ihunwo expressed alarm over the presence of armed youths in the area, particularly after an incident involving the alleged bulldozing of community land, and questioned why individuals suspected of being cultists were brought into the community for a matter already under judicial review.

In response to the ongoing sales, His Majesty Leslie Eke confirmed that he had called upon youths from the community to secure the land, aiming to prevent further transactions by Ihunwo and his associates. Eke reported that over 40 youths have been mobilized to monitor the land and deter additional sales. He also publicly commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, for proactive measures taken to restore peace in the area. Eke reiterated his commitment to upholding the law and allowing the judiciary to serve as the ultimate arbiter in this complex land dispute.

The protracted and contentious Rivers Woji Gbalajam land dispute carries significant implications for land acquisition and investment within Rivers State, particularly in the Woji Community and the broader Evo Kingdom. The public disagreement between two figures claiming traditional authority, coupled with allegations of illegal land sales, encroachment, and ongoing litigation, creates an environment of considerable uncertainty regarding land titles in the area. This situation underscores the critical need for rigorous due diligence by any individual or entity considering land transactions in this region.

Lawyers advising clients on potential land investments must meticulously verify the legitimacy of land titles and identify any existing encumbrances, given the conflicting claims and the active legal challenges surrounding Gbalajam land. The involvement of community youths and law enforcement, alongside the accusations of bringing in external elements, highlights the volatile nature of the dispute. The ongoing Woji Community land sales controversy, intertwined with the Evo Kingdom land litigation and the broader Obio/Akpor land dispute Nigeria, signals a high risk of future legal complications and title defects for any property acquired without absolute clarity on ownership and authority.

Lawyers advising clients on land acquisition or investment in Rivers State, particularly within the Woji Community or Evo Kingdom, must conduct rigorous due diligence to verify title and identify potential encumbrances. The ongoing public dispute and litigation over Gbalajam land, involving conflicting claims of traditional authority, indicates a high risk of title defects and future legal challenges for any transactions in the area.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH.