The people of Obah village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing made by Sir Francis Aghedo. They insist that they did not sell any land to him and that his claim of ownership over a 500ft × 600ft property is baseless.
According to the villagers, the suspended Enogie of Obazagbon, whom Aghedo claims sold him the land, has no jurisdiction over Obah village. They emphasised that Obah is an autonomous community, recognised by the Benin Traditional Council and the Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II. Unlike neighbouring villages governed by an Enogie, Obah is led by an Odionwere, the eldest male, who serves as the traditional head.
On 13 March 2025, Aghedo, accompanied by security operatives and bulldozers, attempted to reclaim the land he claimed to have purchased. He alleged that after discovering the land had been resold and developed, he sought legal redress and obtained a favourable judgment in Suit No. B/822/2022. However, his enforcement attempt was met with strong resistance from Obah villagers.
In response on 15 March 2025, the community, led by their Odionwere, Pa. Omoragbon Iyen, dismissed Aghedo’s claims and demanded that he present himself before the village to explain how he acquired the land. Second-ranking elder Sam Osaze reaffirmed that Obah’s autonomy was settled by the Oba during a boundary dispute with Avbiama village, and the ruling remains valid to this day.
Unuagbon Idemudia, son of the village’s chief priest (Ohen Oken), recounted historical rulings that affirmed Obah’s independence. He stated that in 2002, the Enogie of Obazagbon had attempted to assert authority over Obah but was overruled by the Oba, who directed that the Ohen Oken should preside over Obah while the Enogie remained in charge of Obazagbon. Again in 2004, a boundary dispute with Avbiama resulted in another ruling favouring Obah, after the Ohen Oken swore an oath before the gods.
Idemudia stressed that the land in question is firmly within Obah’s territory, not Obazagbon. He alleged that this was not the only property Aghedo had acquired under questionable circumstances, listing 32 plots at the far end of Obah and another 22 near the boundary with Egba village.
“We were never aware that this matter was in court,” Idemudia said. “Now that we know, we will consult our lawyer to file an appeal. Obah village does not engage in land grabbing; Aghedo simply dealt with the wrong person.”
Other elders, including Peter Iyen and verification committee secretary Iyeketin Osaghae, echoed these sentiments. Osaghae explained that for over 20 years, the suspended Enogie of Obazagbon had falsely imposed himself as the custodian of Obah, leading to conflicts until 2024, when the Oba of Benin installed an Odionwere and Okaighele (youth leader) to oversee Obah’s affairs.
He speculated that Aghedo might have been misled about the actual location of the land he purchased. “We invite him to bring forward his documents and prove his claim,” he said, assuring that the matter would be pursued in court.
The community reassured prospective developers that Obah remains a peaceful place for investment, rejecting Aghedo’s claims that they engage in land grabbing. “The place is peaceful and welcoming, and developers are all working without harassment or intimidation,” they stated.
