Kogiflame
The Iga-Ojo Ame-Onojo Agbonika Descendants Union, Iga-Ojo in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi state has petitioned the Atta Igala through the Ejeh of Offu, Chief James Abalaka over a land dispute that has been encroached by one Chief Marvin .O. Edibo who allegedly claimed the rightful owner of the land called Ane-Oba.
In a petition signed by Godwin Musa Egbunu which was made available to newsmen in Lokoja alleged that since Chief M.O Edibo assumed office as the priest of Oba land he claims he is the owner of the entire Oba land and not Ame-Onojo as he allowed trucks to fell any trees he sells to them even when there was a ban nationwide.
According to him, these activities take place at random until the road is no longer pliable, stressing that the road was constructed and maintained through community direct labour with little develolment intervention from government for the ownership of Oba land.
The group alleged that he invited Fulani hardsmen and their cattle men who invaded and destroyed their crops and soil on regular basis as this has made it difficult for them to earn seasonal or regular income.
“We have no other streams of income apart from proceeds from their farm produce. We have appealed to him times without number to relocate them or restrict their movements, he refused instead he said the animals are being reared on the other of Atta Igala and that he delivers three Cows to Atta Igala
” He said that the present Atta Igala has abolished their Status as members of the Royal Kingdom of Igala’s family Amoma-Atta, that their claims to be of Royal descent had come to an end since the present Atta Igala is not interested in Amona-Atta, apart from who can serve him the way Chief Marvin O. Edibo is serving him
” He has over stepped his bounds as a priest of Ame-Onojo by arrogating to himself the power of a district head fighting to bring Gagos and Madakis under his control,” he said.
The group therefore pray that Onoko-Ubi-Iga should stop parading himself as the most senior traditional Chief and also he should be made to understand that Ame-Onojo was beaded Ohioma Ogbolo the 6th of the traditional rulers in Igala land by Ekele Aga over two centuries ago.
“He should desist from collecting tributes from restricted areas such as Ojuwo, Omachi, Ajamoko-Oko, Oko-ate, OjowoAjaji, Ofekpe, Alijobu, Olokoudo, Ojigba, IdebulKpalaka, Ajabiote and the headquarters Igojo which Ame-Onojo immediate domain
“He should return to status quote, he should collect tributes and submit same to Igojo for onward transmission to Gabaidu admit was previously done by his predecessors, he should alsinto stop him from extorting money from people of Ane-Oba using Gabiadu to intimidate them.
The group equally appealed to Atta Igala that Chief Edibo should hands off from the tributes accrues to descendants of Ame-Onojo from Ajabiote, adding that this farm land belongs to Ame-Onojo and his descendants.
