By Our Reporter
The President General and his executives, the elders, women and youths of Enhwe community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has condemned in totality the blockade of the community Urri-road by Prince Larry Eduvie Efekodha and his cohorts to collect development fees, popularly known ‘DEVE’ (money) from EMOROCK CONSULT Ltd and denied the arrest of the Monarch of the community.
The community elders, youths and women in their numbers led by the Secretary, Elder Michael Akpakpa embarked on a protest carrying placards with different inscriptions, including “that Prince Larry Eduvie Efekodha is not representing Enhwe”; “Enhwe does not belong to Efekodha family”; “Prince Larry Eduvie Efekodha, you are too greedy”; “Efekodha Children should Let Enhwe breath”; “High Chief Victor Wayles Egukhawhore has done well for us” and “The Company, Emorock consult Ltd, is owned by our beloved son”
Meanwhile, the forceful collection of development fees called DEVE, has been specifically prohibited under the Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018.
Under this law, the Offence specifies that “It is a crime for community leaders, youth groups, or individuals to demand or forcefully collect any levy, fee, or rate (such as 10% land sales fees) from property owners and developers”.
Elder Michael Akpakpa stated that, the community and the elders, youths and the women are not in support of the Monarch son’s blockade of the Urhi-Enhwe road in order to collect development fees from High Chief Victor Wayles Egukhawhore’s company that is dredging sand from the area.
He added that, Enhwe community stand with High Chief Victor Wayles Egukhawhore and his company called EMOROCK CONSULT Ltd, that has brought high stride infrastructural development in the areas of multiple good roads and lighting of the community.
Chief Oyibo Omare, spokesperson of the Elders Council also said, the community has no hands in the blockade of Urhi-Enhwe road by Prince Larry Eduvie Efekodha and his cohorts, that the community is not a conquered territory of the Monarch’s children.
He noted that the allegation that High Chief Victor Wayles Egukhawhore’s company is operating illegally on the dredging site is false, adding that the dredging site was duly allocated to him by the community during the tenure of the previous President General, Chief Ogodo Mike.
“In fact, the community returned the money paid for the site during that tenure, confirming the transaction and acceptance”.
According to him, the company is operating with the knowledge and consent of the community and is not there illegally as falsely claimed by the hoodlums who only wanted to collect development levy “DEVE” for their personal gains and selfish motives
Mr. Idisi Omoyibo and Mr. Ememerakpo Amata who are land owners in Urhi-Enhwe road confirmed to newsmen that, they rented the upland as sand dump site to High Chief Victor Wayles EGUKAWORE company while the Canal belongs to the community and not HRM Anthony Onomuefe Efekodha, Ejuzi 11 as personal property.
Succinctly in a statement signed by President General of Enhwe Clan Development Association, Dr. Emmanuel Okworigho and the Secretary, Chief Michael Omo-Odudu debunked the alleged arrest of HRM Anthony Efekhoda, Ovie of Enhwe kingdom, described it as false and malicious.
The statement also read that, “The Monarch is presently sick and unable to come out publicly. Taking advantage of this, his son, Mr Larry Eduvie Efekhoda has been usurping the powers and authority of the stool. The person arrested by security agencies was Mr Larry Eduvie Efekhoda for this act of usurpation, collecting money from companies working in the community, wanting to be the President General of the Enhwe. His Royal Majesty remains on the throne and has not been arrested”.
They noted that, “Enhwe community has a duly elected and recognized President General, Dr Emmanuel Okworigho, who was duly elected and emerged in accordance with the Delta State Regulation of Community Development Association Law, 2021.
“The President General, Dr Emmanuel Okworigho and his executive were issued Certificate of Recognition by the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Community & Social Development, Asaba. The Ministry is the statutory authority for CDAs in Delta State. Any claim of an “interim President General” outside this process is illegal, null, and void”.
On the alleged arrest of Youth and Women Leaders, they said that the claim that the Youth Leader and Women Leader were arrested is false and misleading,
They stated further in their statement that the he individuals in question are no longer the recognized youth leader and women leaders of Enhwe Community.
“They were arrested alongside Mr Larry Eduvie Efekhoda for unlawfully blocking a viable community road, an act that disrupted public order. This has no connection to the legitimate leadership of the community”
The community however demand that Mr. Akpobome Paul Emiyede and his group immediately retract these false statements and publish an unreserved apology in the same media outlets within 48 hours.
“Failure to comply will compel us to pursue civil and criminal action for defamation, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We urge the public to disregard the said press conference as it’s a group of hoodlums who are being paid by Prince Larry Eduvie Efekhoda who is using the money being paid to him by Tantita’s surveillance money and to continue to usurp the legitimate traditional and community leadership of Enhwe kingdom”.
