Nigerian Court Ends 100-Year Land Dispute, Upholding Obuama Community's Ownership

A century-old land dispute between Nigeria's Usokun and Obuama communities has been definitively settled by a Rivers State High Court. The court dismissed a suit filed by the Usokun Community over the disputed Obupiri land, affirming the ownership rights of the Obuama Community based on a prior ruling from 1938.

Presiding Justice David Gbasam struck out the suit, citing res judicata, meaning the issue had already been conclusively determined by competent courts. The court found that the fresh action constituted an abuse of the judicial process, as ownership of the Obupiri land was awarded to Obuama Community in a case decided decades ago. Counsel for Obuama Community indicated they would not seek costs against Usokun Community, and the court made no order regarding costs.

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We are very happy. It is a great relief. We believe this act of provocation will stop for some time. We know they are likely to appeal, and we are fully prepared for that.

Following the judgment, King Asari Dokubo, the Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, expressed relief and urged all parties to respect the court's decision. He stated that while Obuama Community is committed to peaceful coexistence, this peace must be founded on respect for established legal rights. "We have always been magnanimous in victory. If they want peace, we are ready for peace. But we cannot surrender our ancestral rights in the name of peace," he declared.

King Dokubo highlighted the long history of litigation, dating back to 1923, with successive judgments consistently affirming Obuama's ownership. He noted the community's commitment to peaceful relations, even showing leniency to members of the opposing community in past criminal matters. He expressed confidence that any further legal challenges would favor Obuama, as the community relies on due process and judicial pronouncements to protect its ancestral rights.

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We have always been magnanimous in victory. If they want peace, we are ready for peace. But we cannot surrender our ancestral rights in the name of peace.