The Court of Appeal has decided the lingering boundary dispute between the people of Ekoken in the Uhunmwode Local Government Council area of Edo and their neighbour, the Igueosagie Village in favour of the former.
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According to the Ekoken people, the Appeal Court victory was an affirmation of the earlier resolution of the dispute in their favour by the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II.

Ekoken community leader, David Eguasa Uhunwangho, said the two neighbours have been bound by the natural features of a moat from time immemorial as traditionally recognised in Benin Kingdom.

But suddenly, Igueosagie people encroached on their land and were illegally selling lands to unsuspecting developers unrestrained. Okaighele of Ekoken, Billy Aimuavbosa Ugiagbe, narrated: “It has been a long walk since 2005 when the Palace of the Oba of Benin first gave judgment in favour of the people of Ekoken.

“Again in 2018, after the withdrawal of the suit that was in the court in compliance with the directive of the Palace, the Oba resolved the dispute in favour of the people of Ekoken.

“Surprisingly, the people of Igueosagie refused to abide by the Palace resolution and continued their unrestricted encroachment on our land.

“Even at that, they took us to court, where Justice Eboriemen also gave judgment in our favour. As usual, the people of Igueosagie took the matter to appeal court for about two years.”

He added that the Appeal Court has given judgment in favour of the people of Ekoken, upholding the judgment of the lower court, and the earlier resolution of the Palace of the Oba of Benin. Also speaking, one of the leaders of Ekoken, Nestor Amayo, corroborated the narrative of the earlier speakers.
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