From Emma Ogoigbe, Warri
The National President, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Taiga, has condemned the illegal boundary adjustment between Issele-Azagba and Okpanam in Delta State and demanded that justice be done on the worrisome issue.
He called for judicial respect, government accountability and protection of community rights in Okpanam and Issele-Azagba land dispute.
“I strongly condemn in its entirety the unlawful and unconstitutional boundary adjustment, allegedly carried out by Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government and Hon. Emmanuel Chinye Bezim, Chairman of Oshimili North Council Area as well as the office of Surveyor- General and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State.
He described the action as not only illegal but also provocative, posing a real threat of communal crisis and the destruction of public peace, especially in the on-going land dispute between the two warring communities.
Hon. Taiga emphasize that the local government chairmen have no constitutional power to adjust or alter boundaries between local government areas, adding that such powers are clearly defined under the Nigerian laws and must follow due process.
According to him, National Boundary Commission Act (Cap No. LFN.2004) grants authority for boundary issues for inter-state and referred intra-state matter.
He explained that the CDHR is deeply concerned that the boundary and land dispute between the two communities is already pending before a competent court of law, “Yet, certain parties are proceeding with unlawful actions outside the judicial process. This conduct undermines the independence of the judiciary and subsequently violate the doctrine of separation of powers”, remarked the committee boss.
