The Obuama Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State has rejected allegations contained in a September 7, 2026 statement by the Udekama people over an ongoing land dispute between the communities.
In a September 11 statement, the Obuama leadership accused the Udekama people of distorting the history of the dispute and failing to properly acknowledge previous court cases and judgments relating to the disputed land.
Obuama said the dispute centres on the ownership and boundaries of a portion of land known as Obupiri, which it claimed was given to its ancestor, Chief Idoniboye-Obu, by King Amachree IV.
According to the community, the dispute dates back to 1935, when the Usokun people instituted a case against Obuama at the Kalabari Native Court. Obuama said the case was dismissed.
The community further said it instituted Suit No. 164/38 in 1938, seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration of title and the demarcation of boundaries. It claimed the court ruled in its favour and fixed the boundary between the communities.
Obuama also cited a 1965 High Court case, Suit No. P/63/1965, which it said upheld the boundary earlier established by the Native Court.
The community further referenced Suit No. DHC/76/CS/2020, which it said was dismissed by the Degema High Court on July 17, 2026, adding that the judgment again affirmed the boundary established in the 1938 case.
It also referred to the 1925 Supreme Court case of Will Amachree v. Orku, Goldwatch and Senabor, as well as consolidated cases DHC/25/2005 and DHC/16/2006, which it said supported its position on traditional ownership and the tenancy relationship involving the communities.
Obuama questioned allegations of encroachment, arguing that, based on its account of the previous cases, the community had not been found liable for trespass within the disputed area.
The community also rejected allegations linking Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo to the 2020 land dispute, saying his name had been introduced into the matter in a manner capable of creating tension.
It stated that Asari-Dokubo was not listed as a defendant in Suit No. DHC/76/CS/2020 and was not accused of wrongdoing in the case.
Asari-Dokubo has separately denied being a party to the court cases concerning the land and said the dispute predates his involvement.
Obuama also dismissed allegations of a Kalabari territorial expansionist agenda, arguing that the Udekama people had historically lived on the land as customary tenants.
The community further cited a June 19, 2026 conviction by the Port Harcourt Chief Magistrate Court involving Chief R. O. Brown, Chief Cooler Hart and Bestman Swenene in Suit No. PMC/1266C/2020. It said the case involved allegations of forcible entry into Obuama land and damage to farm crops.
Obuama called for the history of the dispute and relevant court judgments to be properly considered, while rejecting what it described as falsehood and sensationalism in the Udekama statement.
The statement was signed by representatives of the Obuama Council of Chiefs, Community Development Committee, Men’s Forum, Women’s Forum and Youth Association.
