General News
OKPE LEADER REJECTS WARRI CHIEF’S WARNING OVER SAPELE SUB-PALACE CEREMONY
Senator Ede Dafinone, Chairman of the Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Association, has firmly rejected a caveat emptor issued by Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, concerning the foundation laying ceremony for a new Sub-Palace of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in Sapele, Delta State. The warning was circulated on social media and published in the Saturday Vanguard of January 24, 2026, attempting to caution against the ceremony scheduled for that same day.
In a detailed response issued on behalf of the Association, Dafinone described the caveat as “legally baseless, historically inaccurate, and capable of inciting communal tension.” He asserted that title to all lands in Sapele is vested in the Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Association, the statutory body responsible for managing and controlling land on behalf of the indigenous Okpe people.
Dafinone acknowledged Sapele’s cosmopolitan character but stressed that the Okpe people remain the only indigenous ethnic and linguistic group in Sapele Town and the entire Sapele Local Government Area. This status, he noted, is recognized under the Delta State Traditional Rulers, Council and Chiefs Law. He cited the Schedule to the law, which identifies Sapele Local Government Area as belonging exclusively to the Okpe Clan with Urhobo as the indigenous language, and recognises only the Orodje of Okpe as the statutory traditional ruler for the area. “By contrast,” he stated, “Warri South Local Government Area recognises Itsekiri, Urhobo and Ijaw clans due to their indigenous presence there.”
On the historical and legal standing, Dafinone referenced the landmark case of Chief Ayomano & Another v. Ginuwa II (9 WACA 85), where the West African Court of Appeal upheld the Okpe people’s ownership of Sapele lands and dismissed claims of Itsekiri overlordship. “The judgment established that the Okpe people were the original settlers on Sapele land and that Itsekiri presence in the town began only after the Nana War of 1894, when displaced Itsekiri groups sought refuge in Sapele with the permission of the Okpe people under customary tenancy arrangements,” he explained.
Addressing claims that the judgment limited Okpe ownership to 510 acres, Dafinone described the assertion as a “misrepresentation of the court’s findings,” clarifying that the acreage related to a colonial lease and did not diminish Okpe ownership of Sapele lands.
Regarding the Sub-Palace project, Dafinone was unequivocal. “The Orodje of Okpe, as the sole statutorily recognised traditional ruler of Sapele Local Government Area, does not require permission from any external authority to construct a palace or sub-palace within his domain,” he maintained. He added that an existing Sub-Palace of the Orodje has functioned in Sapele for decades without objection.
Dafinone also rejected any notion of Itsekiri overlordship over Sapele, noting that even the Olu of Warri has never asserted such authority and is legally estopped from doing so by existing judgments.
Expressing concern over the tone of the caveat, Dafinone said references to potential communal unrest were “provocative,” and called on security agencies to remain vigilant to prevent any breakdown of law and order. He warned that responsibility for any unrest would rest with those who instigated it.
While reaffirming the Okpe people’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with all Sapele residents, Dafinone issued a caution. “Restraint should not be mistaken for weakness,” he said, urging community leaders across ethnic lines to reject inflammatory rhetoric capable of undermining peace in the town.
The monarch of Ozoro Kingdom in Delta State has denied any prior knowledge of a controversial festival linked to the alleged abuse of women and girls, as outrage continues to trail the incident across Nigeria.
The traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Anthony Ogbogbo, made the clarification when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) visited his palace following reports of harassment during the ‘Alue-Do’ festival.
According to the monarch, he had never encountered such practices in his over two decades on the throne. He stated that he had “never heard that a festival is celebrated with girls being harassed or molested” in the community, distancing the palace from the widely condemned incident.
The controversy stems from viral videos showing women being chased, stripped, and assaulted by youths during the cultural event held in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area. The disturbing footage sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over gender-based violence.
During the palace visit, the NANS delegation; alongside student leaders from Southern Delta University, confirmed that some of the victims were students who had since received medical attention. While reports indicated no confirmed cases of rape, the students described the incidents as serious molestation and a violation of human dignity.
NANS condemned the attacks, describing them as a gross violation of human rights and a threat to the safety of students in the community. The association called on security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and bring perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has also condemned the incident, describing it as “barbaric” and unacceptable, stressing that no cultural practice should justify violence against women. Authorities have launched investigations, with police confirming the arrest of suspects linked to the incident.
Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have also demanded immediate prosecution of those responsible, insisting that cultural traditions must not be used to excuse abuse or undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls.
The incident has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of laws protecting women and for a review of traditional practices that may expose individuals to harm.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that one of its officials has been taken into custody following the death of a corps member, Miss Victoria Ariyo, in Abeokuta South.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the NYSC described the incident as “tragic and deeply disturbing,” noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, disclosed that the staff member allegedly linked to the incident is currently in custody while relevant authorities continue their probe.
According to the scheme, it is working closely with security agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation without interference.
“The management of the NYSC is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances currently being investigated,” the statement read.
The organisation extended condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for strength and comfort during the difficult period.
It also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that the scheme maintains strict standards for both staff and corps members.
“We assure the public that we are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to ensure the truth is established and justice is served without fear or favour,” the statement added.
The NYSC further urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow due process to take its course, emphasising that the welfare, safety, and dignity of corps members remain a top priority.
The Delta State Police Command has arrested 11 additional suspects in connection with the sexual assault of women in Ozoro, bringing the total number of persons in custody to 15.
Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, disclosed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a detailed review of video evidence and intelligence by operatives.
According to him, the suspects include Samson Atukpodo, Steven Ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others.
The Command stated that preliminary investigations, under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, revealed that the acts were carried out by criminal elements who took advantage of the situation to perpetrate sexual violence.
Police authorities emphasised that the actions were in no way reflective of any legitimate cultural practice.
“The Command condemns these acts in totality and remains committed to ensuring that all perpetrators are identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” the statement added, while urging victims and witnesses to come forward with useful information.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage following the circulation of a viral video showing young women being sexually harassed during a local festival in the community.
The footage was linked to the Alue-Do Festival held in Ozoro, a cultural event associated with traditional rites.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association described the incident as a “national disgrace,” calling for swift justice for the victims.
Similarly, the Delta State Government condemned the act, with the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
However, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom refuted claims circulating online, stating that the incident was a misapplication of certain symbolic aspects of the Alue-Do Festival by some youths.
Earlier, the police had announced the arrest of a community head and four other suspects in connection with the case, as investigations continue.