BY PATRICK MGBODO
A medical doctor, Andrew Ogbolu, has raised the alarm over an alleged conspiracy and attempt by some individuals to unlawfully dispossess him and his siblings of the family land inherited from their grandfather.
He called on the Delta State Government and the State Commissioner of Police (CP) to intervene and save them from frequent threats and intimidation from those attempting to forcibly seize their inherited land.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, Ogbolu, who hails from Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State alleged that the land in question was bequeathed to him and his siblings by their grandfather, Mr. Simon Ogbolu in 1994, following their father’s death in 1980.
He said that touble began “when another of their grandfather’s son from an extra-marital affair returned home but was not satisfied even after he was given his share of the patrimony by his father, Dr. Ogbolu’s grandfather.
According to Ogbolu, his “father’s step brother continued to insist that he was the first son by age to the annoyance of his father who reminded him that before his return after over 30 decades, the house was already established.
Consequently, Mr. Simon Ogbolu ensured that he buried his first son, Dr. Ogbolu’s father on the said land and eventually handed it over to his grandchildren (Dr. Ogbolu and his four siblings), which is now in contention.
However, the Abuedo quarters in Ubulu-Uku has intervened in the issue, saying that “Diokpa (head), Felix Ogbolu, clarified that the land rightfully belonged to Dr. Ogbolu and his siblings, adding that ‘“you cannot walk in from outside and lay claim to everything in the house already established just because you are older than the children by age’’.
“There are a lot of intimidation and threats going on although there are no casualties yet. They have been threatening us in different ways. We have reported the threats to the police.
‘’We want the general public, especially the government to know what is happening in our place. We also want our neighboring communities to know what is happening in Ubulu-Uku because they know our culture which is also very similar to theirs.
‘’We do not want this issue to escalate because the threats we are getting can lead to anything’’, Dr Ogbolu cried out.
He expressed fear as some individuals interested in buying the land to enable them expand their acquisitions within the vicinity, have been aiding the poachers, stressing that the issue had also divided the extended families with some supporting injustice due to pecuniary gains.
Ogbolu expressed belief that urgent government and police intervention would restore order.
