Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has nullified the case filed by Usokun Community over the contested Obupiri land, marking the end of a land ownership case which has taken over 100 years.
Justice David Gbasam struck out the suit, DHC/76/CS/2020, stating that the case was already concluded through court decisions. The High Court stated that the ownership of the contested land has already been determined in favor of Obuama Community in 1938, thus making the current case an abuse of court process.
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Justice Gbasam therefore struck out the suit without making any order as to costs since the counsel to Obuama Community refused to claim cost against the plaintiffs.
Commenting on the decision, King Asari Dokubo and Dabaye Amakiri I and Amanyanabo of Torusarama Piri, Elem Kalabari, expressed their joy and said that this is a victory for justice and the path to enduring peace.
He called on both parties to accept the ruling of the court and embrace peaceful co-existence, adding that the Usokun Community can still appeal the case in the Court of Appeal.
“The ruling makes us very happy. We always believe in the rule of law and we are hoping that the ruling will put an end to all the years of needless arguments,” he stated.
According to Dokubo, the land case had been going on since the early 1920s with a number of rulings being made by different courts in favor of Obuama Community owning the disputed land.
He is hopeful that the recent ruling will help promote peace in the area and help both communities concentrate on development.
