Delta: Obitugbo Indigenes Accuse Security Agencies, Local Chiefs of Plot to Subvert Tradition

Indigenes of Obitugbo Community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have accused top military and police officials, alongside local government authorities and traditional chiefs, of conspiring to violate their rights and subvert their age-old customs regarding the selection of a community head.

In a pre-action notice signed by Chief Robinson Ariyo on 23rd October 2025, the community members, led by Professor Jim Omatseyem and others, threatened to sue the Armed Forces of the Federation of Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigeria Police Force, and several individuals for alleged “abuses of human rights and breaches of the principles of natural justice.”

The notice, addressed to 16 proposed defendants, including the Warri North Local Government Chairman and some Itsekiri chiefs, outlines allegations of forceful imposition of an unqualified person as “Olare-Aja” of the community despite ongoing court cases on the matter.

“The defendants executed a well-orchestrated plot to foist a state fiat accompli on the courts before which the disputes were pending,” the plaintiffs said.

According to the document, the controversy revolves around the attempt to install Mr Brodrick Utienyin as the new community head, contrary to the Itsekiri customary declaration issued by His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, on 7th September 2024.

“The intending first plaintiff is the only suitable person qualified for the position of Olare-Aja,” the notice emphasised.

The plaintiffs allege that the outgoing chairman of the Obitugbo Community Management Committee (OCMC), Mr Justice Akuyoma, whose tenure expired in October 2025 after eight years, initiated the plan to extend his influence in the community by creating a new headship position for life.

“Having failed, he enlisted the help of several officials, including military and police officers, to persecute the plaintiffs,” the notice stated.

The pre-action notice further accuses Captain Monday Dauda of the Nigerian Army in Koko and the Divisional Police Officer of Koko Division, Lukman Olaogun, of aiding unlawful arrests, harassment, and intimidation of the plaintiffs.

“The defendants unlawfully deprived the plaintiffs of their freedom of movement and association with their kith and kin,” it alleged.

In addition to being banished from their community since April 2024, the plaintiffs claim they were prevented from auditing the community’s financial records and demanding the handover of official documents from Mr Akuyoma.

“The plaintiffs were unlawfully disenfranchised from participating in community activities,” the notice asserted.

The plaintiffs also cite the inaction of police authorities, accusing them of refusing to act on a report of assault allegedly committed by Mr Akuyoma.

“Despite grievous injury to one of the plaintiffs, the police failed to investigate or prosecute,” the notice lamented.

Despite court orders maintaining the status quo, the defendants allegedly went ahead to inaugurate illegal community bodies, including the Obitugbo Community Council of Elders (OCOE), Obitugbo Community Management Committee (OCMC), and Obitugbo Community Development Association (OCDA).

“They even publicised the unlawful event on mainstream and social media,” the notice pointed out.

The plaintiffs contend that these actions violate multiple laws, including the Armed Forces Act, Police Service Commission Act, and the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

“The conduct of the defendants constitutes actions taken in excess and outside the provisions of the law,” the notice reads.

They seek several court declarations holding the security and government agencies vicariously liable for the alleged misconduct of their officers.

“By the provisions of the Armed Forces Act, the 1st and 2nd defendants are vicariously liable for the wrongs of the 3rd defendant,” the plaintiffs asserted.

Additionally, they demand injunctions restraining the defendants from further interference, as well as orders compelling investigations into the alleged abuses.

“An order of injunction is sought to restrain the proposed defendants from tampering with the subject matter of the community’s leadership,” the notice stated.

The plaintiffs maintain that the local government chairman, Justice Akuyoma, has breached his oath of office by allowing personal interest to override his public duty.

“His conduct makes him unfit and improper to continue to occupy any public office,” the notice declared.

The legal representatives of the plaintiffs have served notice to the defendants that if no corrective measures are taken within one month, they will proceed to court.

“None of the proposed defendants has shown any willingness to renounce their actions,” the notice concluded.