Hyacinth Okolie Loses In Court As Ogwashi-Uku High Chief Nweke Okeibunor, Okwabani Joseph Adigwe Win Landmark Judgment

Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State – June 3, 2025

In a significant legal victory for the Ogbe Ubu community, the Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku today ruled in favour of Chief Nweke Okeibunor and Okwabani Joseph Adigwe in Suit No: 0/M/54/2022 0/M/55/2022, 0/M/56/2022effectively dismissing all allegations brought against them by Chief Hyacinth Okolie.

The case, orchestrated by Barrister Francis Okolie (aka “Mayor”) Okolie based on a petition on behalf of Hyacinth Okolie, accused the two respected chiefs, and Cyril Okeleke  of terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms, intimidation, and malicious damage— filed with the Zone 5 Police Headquarters in Benin, Edo State. However, in a decisive ruling delivered by Honourable Justice K.O. Okpu, the Court found the accusations entirely baseless and issued a perpetual injunction restraining Hyacinth Okolie and the police.

Chief Okeibunor, represented by legal counsel Barrister T. Ogidi, welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a resounding vindication. He noted:

“This judgment confirms what we’ve always known—that the accusations were part of a desperate attempt to derail our work and dispossess our people of their ancestral farmlands. The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku assigned us the responsibility to safeguard our lands and ensure tenant farmers pay royalties and do not illegally sell land. The campaign of intimidation has now failed.”

He also recounted how recently agents had disrupted farming activities in the area and even brought soldiers to escort bulldozers onto community farmlands. He praised the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku for intervening to stop further intimidation and displacement of local farmers.

The court’s ruling is widely seen as a blow to the land grabbing agenda allegedly coordinated by Hyacinth Okolie and his associates, who have sought to sell off community lands to estate developers and speculators under dubious circumstances.

Notably, Barrister Francis Okolie, who filed the petition against the two chiefs, is himself currently facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Asaba. He has also been linked to a violent attack on community vigilantes in Azagba Ogwashi-Uku, which left several injured and requiring medical treatment.

Reacting to the judgment, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, Palace Secretary to His Majesty, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, commended the judiciary and hailed the judgment as a victory for the community, the rule of law, and the authority of the throne.

“This judgment protects our chiefs from baseless persecution and strengthens our resolve to defend community lands from exploitation. Justice has prevailed,” he said.

With this court victory, Chiefs Okeibunor and Adigwe are now free to continue their assigned duties in preserving community lands, ensuring traditional obligations are met, and resisting any further attempts by land grabbers to distort or destabilize Ogwashi-Uku’s agricultural heritage.