…Opueze Settles Oko Family
The Amanyanabo of Ingeje town in Kula kingdom in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, HRH King (Barr.) G. A. Egbelekro Opueze has declared that Belema is situated within his domain.
The Amanyanabo who disclosed this during an exclusive interview with The Newswriter in his office in Port Harcourt on Monday, lampooned Chief Ibinabo Kalaoriye for dishing out false information about the true ownership of Belema.
The Monarch pointed out that Kula is made up of fourteen (14) communities and Belema is not one of them, alleging that Belema is situated within his territory.
He said that his ancestor, Opueze 1 settled Chief Kalaoriye’s forebear, Oko temporarily before finally settled him on his land at present Kula.
According to King Egbelekro Opueze, Chief Kalaoriye could not trace his origin and that of the history of his forebear.
He recalled that in Suit No. PHC/14/82 and PHC/12/83, Justice Opene declared that Oko traditional history is shaken.
His words, “I am from Sara Royal family, one of the male stocks that produces Kings (Kiliya family). I have been made a Chief in Sara family in 2000 before I became a Chief in Opueze Royal family of Ingeje town. Paternally I am from Opueze family, while maternally I am from Sara Royal family. I have been a Prince and Chief of both houses before the demise of my father, His Highness Chief Dr. Hon. GSQ Egbelekro Opueze (JP) to whom I succeeded as the Amanyanabo of Ingeje town, one of the 14 villages of Kula and then the Paramount Chief of Opueze War Canoe House.”
The royal father maintained that the Oko family has never owned any parcel or piece of land within the 14 independent towns of Kula. He said that Oko’s origin is confusing from the time immemorial because Nembe are claiming him as their ancestor, while the Abissa people are also claiming to have settled him in their territory. Chief Kalaoriye should be taught the right history of his forebear, before he gives the public unnecessary information.
King Egbelekro Opueze had earlier informed this weekly that he condemned the signing of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Kula kingdom. He described the signing of the GMoU as “dubious and prejudice”, saying that there is a pending Suit before a Federal High Court.
“As I am speaking SPDC is appealing and begging me to withdraw the matter before the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/CS/137/2013 so that I will be part of the signatories”, King Opueze said.
The Amanyanabo warned Chief Kalaoriye to be very mindful of his words, if not he will not hesitate to institute defamatory and libel suit against him. ###
