Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta state.
Peter Kelvin, Warri
A High Court sitting in Otor-Udu on Wednesday declared that Orhuwhorun is part of Udu Community and cannot be a separate kingdom from the existing Udu Kingdom, in Udu local government area of Delta state.
The judgment sparked wild jubilation in Udu Kingdom with the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Barr E.B.O Delekpe JP, Owhorhu 1, dedicating the victory to the good people of Udu and the unity of the land.
Delivering the judgment, Honourable Justice C.E Achelife declared that, “the only prescribed traditional authority in Udu is vested in Udu Kingdom with the Ovie of Udu Kingdom as only recognized Monarch.
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The court also, “affirmed that Orhuwhorun community is part of Udu Kingdom and cannot be a separate Kingdom.
The Court awarded a ‘N50,000’ cost against Orhuwhorun Community, warning that, “henceforth anybody who parades himself as Ovie of Orhuwhorun community would be guilty of offence under the chieftaincy laws of Delta state and so risk two years imprisonment”.
Secretary to the Udu Traditional Council, Chief Mrs Elizabeth Odjugo, in her remarks expressed great joy with the development, “urging the Orhuwhorun people to integrate themselves into the main Udu traditional structure for one united Udu Kingdom”.
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The President General of the Union of Udu Communties, Chief Godwin Jefia, in his remarks “commended the courage of the Judge in declaring without mincing words that Udu remains one, one language, one kingdom and one people in one local government area of the State.
“The Court made it clear that the land Orhuwhorun occupies belong to Udu and that since they are part of Udu Kingdom, they lost nothing from the judgment because, they remain part of the larger Udu Kingdom”.
Lead Counsel to Udu Kingdom, Barr Paul Onota who spoke through his colleague, Barr Moses Segba in his remarks, praised the judgment as a landmark one as justice to the Udu people which incidentally include Orhuwhorun community.
He disclosed that, ‘the legal battle for 8 years has ended and that with the unequivocal judgment, Orhuwhorun community should recognize the overlord-ship of the Ovie of Udu Kingdom so as to integrate themselves into the general Udu traditional structure bearing in mind the implication of the judgment.
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“I commend the efforts of the legal team of the Kingdom including Barr Elizabeth Okene, Barr Jokpe Esq, Barr. H. Ogidiagba, Barr C. Ogbesion and Barr Moses Uchere among others for their ‘’resilience in defending the course of Udu unity’’, he added.
Former President General of Udu Kingdom, Chief Steve Sokoh also said he is excited with the court judgment affirming that, l knew all the while that Orhuwhorun as a separate Kingdom cannot stand and that it was better for Orhuwhorun to stand for Udu unity as the court judgment entails”
