The Ogbe-Ozoma Community of Okpanam, has strongly refuted claims that the land currently being developed by Cubana Group is subject to a consent judgment allegedly entered in favour of Issele-Azagba.
In a direct rebuttal statement signed by Chief (Sir) Ifeanyi Ejiofor, solicitor to the Ogbe-Ozoma Community, the community described as “mischievous and misleading” assertions made in a viral video by individuals claiming to be indigenes of Issele-Asagba.
The video reportedly featured Barrister Larry Oliseh, who is said to be acting as counsel to Issele-Asagba, alleging that the disputed land falls under a consent judgment. However, the Ogbe-Ozoma Community maintained that the claim lacks factual and legal basis.
According to the statement, the land under development forms part of the ancestral inheritance of the Ogbe-Ozoma Community and has been held by them from time immemorial. The community asserted that the property was lawfully and legitimately sold to Cubana Group, with title duly transferred in compliance with all applicable laws.
The solicitors further emphasized that Cubana Group fulfilled all statutory requirements under the Land Use Act and was granted a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of the property. They added that there was no pending legal action before, during, or after the acquisition of the land.
The development project, the statement noted, was publicly flagged off and widely covered by the media, underscoring what the community described as transparency in the transaction.
The community clarified that the land allegedly covered by the disputed consent judgment is entirely different from the parcel currently being developed. It explained that the property referenced in the alleged judgment is the subject of ongoing litigation in Suit No. HCI/23/2021 pending before the Onicha-Ugbo High Court, Issele-Uku Judicial Division.
The solicitors stated that they are counsel in the matter and confirmed that it concerns a separate and distinct parcel of land unrelated to the Cubana Group project.
The statement also raised serious allegations regarding the circumstances under which the purported consent judgment in Suit No. HCI/5/2012 was obtained. It alleged that Barrister n Larry Oliseh, who had previously acted as defence counsel for the Ogbe-Ozoma Community in that matter, connived with opposing counsel to file terms of settlement without the knowledge or authorization of the community.
According to the rejoinder, the purported settlement document allegedly contained forged signatures and was filed and pronounced as a consent judgment on the same day without the community’s participation.
Upon discovering the development, the community said it promptly initiated legal steps to challenge the judgment on grounds of fraud and procedural irregularities.
It further disclosed that a petition has been filed against the said counsel before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
The Ogbe-Ozoma Community concluded that the land currently being developed by Cubana Group is free from encumbrances and not subject to any valid adverse claim.
The solicitor urged members of the public to disregard what it described as defamatory and misleading statements intended to cause confusion, insisting that the facts surrounding the land ownership are clear, verifiable, and legally defensible.
