Kusimi community in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State has again been declared owners of the land playing host to the Odidi Oil field (Odidi 1 & 2), Egwa 2 Flow Station and other oil facilities in OML 42 and OML 30.
The ruling was issued by the Appeal Court, Asaba Division, on Monday, June 26, 2023, in what was an appeal filed by Odidi community.
Odidi community had appealed a ruling by a lower court, which adjudged Kusimi as owners of the land the oil field and other oil facilities are situated.
In its appeal, Odidi community had labeled Kusimi as a ‘family’ and not a community, and as such, should not be addressed as a community nor owners of the disputed area.
However, the appellate court, in its ruling, reaffirmed the ruling by the lower court, which declared Kusimi a host community in OML 42 and the legitimate owners of the land the Odidi oil field and Egwa 2 flowing station is situated.
Reacting to the ruling, leader of the Kusimi Development Movement (KDM), Comrade Smart Kusimi commended the Court for living up to its mandate as hope for the common man.
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Mr. Kusimi lamented the massive oppression and marginalisation his community has suffered in the hands of these jesters and jackals.
He berated the communities for their attempts to deny Kusimi community from accessing the benefits accrued to its people by way of its status as a host community.
According to an elated Kusimi, other communities identified as host communities of Odidi Field have continued to deprive Kusimi Community from enjoying the same rights and privileges they enjoy.
He said;
“I want it to first say congratulations to the entire Kusimi community for another victory at the court yet again. On behalf of the community, we commend the court for upholding justice in its judgment.
“Today, the court lived up to its expectation as the last resort of the common man. At this point, we only hope that our squatters will accept defeat and succumb to the declaration by the court.
“We also expect the oil companies to obey the judgment and do the needful.”
The judgment delivered by the appellate court on Monday is the latest in the line of several proceedings spanning almost two decades.
