A group under the aegis of Uk’Omu Igala Organisation has called on those aggrieved by the judgment over the ownership of Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe to take the judicial option of approaching the appellate court rather than resorting to provocative utterances and actions.
Comptroller Abdul Amade (rtd), the national leader of the Forum in a statement on Sunday in Lokoja, pointed out that the decision over the ownership of the affected areas was taken by the Federal High Court based on documentary and historical evidencies and only a contrary ruling by a higher court can upturned the earlier verdict.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on 2nd June, affirmed that Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Koton Karfe were parts of Igala Kingdom.
The Court further demanded that the Federal Government should pay the sum of N10 billion debt owed Attah Igala since the colonial era over the land.
“The courageous judgment, widely commended by a cross-section of Nigerians
and the international community, has been variously attacked by some ethnic communities in Kogi State.
“As if it were a call to arms, these groups have taken to an out of the ark, old-fashioned way of handling the pronouncement of the judiciary – insults, provocative action, and threats of fire and brimstone.
“Ignorant of their own ancestry, they have issued statements that denigrated the Igala kingdom, which had nurtured and protected their forefathers, so that their
memories are not forgotten.
“As a sign of maturity, Igala sons and daughters have restrained themselves from entering into the mud, because the truth, like the sun, has no hiding place,” the statement noted.
According to the forum, the judgement cannot be overturned by insults, threats and provocations, while appealing to anyone who has issues with the initial judgement should demonstrate his interest by going to the court of law.
“We call on the government of Kogi State, the institution that has the responsibility of ensuring peace and security, to call these trouble-makers to order.
“Also, UIO calls on the Inspector General of Police and Kogi State Commissioner of Police, DSS, to activate their intelligence network to bring to book all criminally-minded persons, who, puffed up by undue ethnic bigotry, have continued to threaten Igala kingdom with unprovoked violence,” it further urged.
The forum salute the courage of Agaba’idu, Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty Idakwo
Michael Ameh Oboni, who, despite provocations, has maintained his calm and
prevailed on his subjects against responding to false and irritating reactions to the judgment.
