Thursday, July 31, 2025 - Residents of Ugbakele community in Mosogar Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State have petitioned the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi over alleged intimidation, oppression, communal rights violation among others by the Ovie of Msogar kingdom.
The community through the Young Nigerian Rights
Organization, Victor Ojei are demanding immediate intervention to halt all
further intimidations.
The petition was copied to the Chairman, Senate Committee on
Police Affairs, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, and the Chairman, Senate
Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, National Assembly
Complex, Abuja and made available to South-South PUNCH on Tuesday in Asaba, the
Delta State capital.
It reads, “We, the undersigned, acting under the auspices of
the Young Nigerian Rights Organization, write to formally petition on behalf of
Mr. Avwunukpa Saturday Odaka and members of the Ugbakele community in Mosogar
Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Our petition arises from consistent, systemic oppression,
gross abuse of traditional authority, and multiple violations of national laws,
including but not limited to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content
Development Act (Local Content Act), the Criminal Code Act, and other community
rights frameworks.
“The Ugbakele community, an ancestral host community within
the Mosogar Kingdom, has been subjected to continued suppression and economic
deprivation by the Ovie. This oppression has now escalated to threats to life,
particularly targeting Mr. John Odaka, a community advocate.
“Companies operating on Ugbakele land have been compelled to
enter into Memoranda of Understanding directly with the palace of the Ovie of
Mosogar rather than with the actual host community, Ugbakele. This undermines
the Local Content Act which mandates engagement with and benefits for host
communities.
“The Ovie has executed MoUs with companies without the
knowledge, representation, or consent of the Ugbakele community and in
violation of Sections 25–28 of the Local Content Act. Funds paid to the
community have been hijacked, with no benefit reaching Ugbakele. Specifically,
the rightful community share of 60% has been unlawfully withheld.
“The king has consistently used the Nigeria Police and
private actors including group to harass, arrest, and force community members,
especially vocal leaders into signing undertakings under duress, effectively
silencing their demands for justice.
“The king has lodged multiple petitions with police
formations—including Mosogar Division, Area Command, and Zone 5 Benin City to
target and arrest those resisting his exploitative actions. These acts amount
to obstruction of justice and abuse of office”
The community demanded immediate and impartial investigation
into the actions of the Monarch, and protection for Mr. Avwunukpa Saturday
Odaka, Mr. John Odaka, and other Ugbakele community members who are being
threatened to avoid further breakdown of law and order.
Reacting to the petition on Tuesday, the Ovie of Mosogar,
HRM Sunday OdogunOkpureh said,’’ If petition is written to police, let police
come for their investigation.
Those things don’t push me. They should continue writing
their petition”
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