The Amanyanabo of Belema Community in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH Ibinabo Kalaoriye has declared that there is no community called Ingeje in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
The Amanyanabo made this know while speaking to journalists at his residence in Port Harcourt on Monday. The Paramount head of Belema Community further disclosed that there is no family known as Opueze, adding that Opueze is not independent, but under Sara House. He wondered why the Opueze is now claiming the ownership of Belema community, recalling how Chief Godwin Opueze contested the Sara chieftaincy stool with HM Kroma Eleki and lost out.
The monarch further recalled the traditional role of Opueze in Kula as a priest, adding that through the effort of one late Chief Kompokota-a Opusiya-a, Chief Godwin Opueze was not admitted into the Akulga Council of Chiefs and Traditional Rulers.
The Belema Community head maintained that the said consolidated suit (DHC/63/2001 and DHC/64/2001) has no business with his domain, pointing out that the so-called consent judgment was for a particular project, and it has since been elapsed.
He said that Belema is an autonomous community that has its Chiefs’ Council, Youths Organization and CDC. HRH Kalaoriye stated that anybody or group of persons who wants to sue Shell as regards to Belema, he will not hesitate to file a joinder in the suit. He recalled how one Diebo Gogo filed a suit (DHC/27/2012) against Akulga Council in respect of Belema Youths Organization and CDC, “but we have no option than to join in the said suit”, adding that the case was dismissed, “and the court asked him to pay N30,000 as a cost to the Akulga Council.
The royal father had earlier said that, “to prove what I am saying, I am ready to bring out my money and charter boats, let them come and show us where Ingeje is. They will not come because they know that there is no community call Ingeje. I will advise Shell not to listen to these people, because what they are saying are not true”. ###
