Fountain City Estate Landlords Petition Gov. Oboriwori Over Death of 25 Members, Destruction of Property

Protesting members of the Fountain City Estate Ibusa, Delta State,

By Our Reporter

Members of the Fountain City Estate Landlords Association, Ibusa, Delta State, have sent a Save Our Souls (SOS) appeal to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oboriwori, following the alleged death of no fewer than 25 of their members and the destruction of properties within the estate.
The landlords alleged that several of their members suffered fatal strokes and hypertension-related complications as a result of shock arising from the destruction of their properties by suspected hired thugs.
The association accused the Umuodafe family of Ibusa—said to be the original owners of the land on which the estate is built—of sponsoring the thugs responsible for the destruction.
Speaking during an interview with our correspondent last weekend, the Chairman of the association, Rev. Owen Ebubechukwu, made a passionate appeal to Governor Oboriwori to urgently intervene in the matter, investigate the circumstances surrounding the destruction, and ensure that justice is served.
Rev. Ebubechukwu, who broke down in tears while presenting documents related to the purchase of the land, stated that the landlords duly fulfilled all stipulated conditions and paid all necessary fees to relevant authorities before being granted ownership of the land.
According to him, prior to purchasing the land, the association conducted a formal search through the Delta State Government and was informed that the land belonged to the Umuodafe family of Ibusa and not to the state government. He added that the landlords acted in good faith and followed due process throughout the transaction.
While appealing to the governor to look into their plight, Rev. Ebubechukwu expressed confidence that Governor Oboriwori, whom he described as a leader who listens to the voices of the defenceless, would intervene decisively to halt further destruction and prevent additional deaths among members of the estate.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the association, Mr. Akeem Lasisi, alleged that the crisis stemmed from what he described as the corrupt practices of some members of the Umuodafe family, who he claimed connived with certain officials in the Delta State Ministry of Lands.
Mr. Lasisi alleged that these officials were fully aware that the Fountain City landlords are the legitimate owners of the land but deliberately acted otherwise in an attempt to dispossess them, believing that the landlords lacked the resources to pursue legal redress.
Pointing accusing fingers at what he termed an unnamed cabal within the Ministry of Lands, the secretary appealed to Governor Oboriwori to intervene, order a thorough investigation, and uncover the truth of the matter. He expressed optimism that God would use the governor to bring relief to the landlords.
In her remarks, Mrs. Maureen Dumbiri, a pensioner who spoke on behalf of other pensioners in the estate, said that many of them invested their life savings in the property, having been assured that the land acquisition process was legal and properly documented.
She lamented that following the alleged wanton destruction of their homes, no fewer than 25 members reportedly suffered and died from stroke and hypertension-related complications. She appealed to Governor Oboriwori, whom she described as a devout Christian, to come to their aid.
Also lending his voice, Mr. Imaah Daniel, President of the Osadenis Teachers Cooperative Society within the estate, described the situation as disturbing and unacceptable. He condemned the destruction of what he termed the members’ hard-earned and legally acquired properties, describing the act as wicked and ungodly, and called on the state government to urgently intervene.