Asari Dokubo urges respect for judgment, as court ends 100-year dispute between Rivers communities

By Daniel Abia

Port Harcourt — A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has brought a century-old land ownership dispute between Usokun and Obuama communities in Degema Local Government Area to a close, dismissing a suit filed by Usokun Community over the disputed Obupiri land.

Justice David Gbasam, who presided over the matter, struck out Suit No. DHC/76/CS/2020, filed by Usokun Community on May 6, 2020, on the grounds of res judicata, ruling that the issue had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.

The court held that ownership of the disputed Obupiri land had previously been awarded to Obuama Community in Suit No. 164/38, decided in 1938, and ruled that the fresh action amounted to an abuse of the judicial process.

Following the judgment, counsel to Obuama Community, S.V. Harry, informed the court that he would not seek costs against Usokun Community despite the outcome. The court subsequently made no order as to costs.