The Delta State High Court has definitively resolved a decades-long legal conflict between the Emu-Ebendo and Obodougwua communities in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, ruling in favor of Emu-Ebendo regarding the ownership and control of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 56.
Judgment Details
Delivering the judgment, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Honorable Justice Theresa Diai, dismissed the claims made by representatives of the Obodougwua community. The court affirmed that both the disputed oil block and the surrounding land fall within the ancestral territory of Emu-Ebendo. The protracted dispute, spanning several years, centered on assertions by Obodougwua that it held independent ownership rights over OML 56. However, Emu-Ebendo consistently maintained that the oil-rich asset lies within its traditional boundaries—a position now upheld by the court.
Parties Involved
The suit, marked HCK/20/1985, listed Chiefs Douglas Onekpe, Ubaru Elum, and Mr. Bernard Odagwe as plaintiffs representing Emu-Ebendo. For Obodougwua, Chief Gold Obi, Pastor Benedict Olise, Chief Edward Oju, and Mr. Patrick Nwasor appeared. Counsel to the plaintiffs, P.O.C. Nwokoro, successfully argued the case, leading to the affirmation of Emu-Ebendo's claims.
Court's Rationale
In his ruling, Justice Diai referenced earlier litigation on the matter, including decisions that had reached the Supreme Court, all of which reinforced Emu-Ebendo's ownership. Central to the court's findings was Survey Plan No. MWC/168/88, which clearly delineated the boundaries of the disputed land.
Execution of Judgment
Court records indicate that following a prior judgment, Emu-Ebendo representatives executed the court's decision on August 15, 2025. However, Obodougwua contested the execution, alleging it was carried out on land outside the scope of the judgment, claiming the area in question was located approximately six kilometers from the disputed site. The respondents countered that the execution strictly complied with the court's directives and adhered to the boundaries specified in the survey plan. This position was supported by the bailiff's report on the writ of possession dated August 18, 2025.
Dismissal of Application
In dismissing the application filed by Obodougwua representatives, Justice Diai held that the applicants failed to establish any valid legal grounds to set aside the execution. She further noted that the application was procedurally defective. “The judgment debtors/applicants have failed to make out a case to entitle them to the reliefs sought,” the judge ruled. With the application dismissed in its entirety, the court reaffirmed Emu-Ebendo's ownership.
