Pondi Lied, Maritime University Okerenkoko Law Is Non-Existent -Lawyer

The Omadino Community has refuted reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu has passed a bill for the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

In a statement published in a newspaper publication dated January 20th 2025,  the community clarified that the university is located in Okorenghigho, within the Omadino region, not in Okerenkoko as reported.

The confusion stems from a long-standing legal dispute between Omadino and the neighbouring Ijaws laying claims to the island in Warri South-West. Both Omadino and the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom claim ownership of the land where the university currently stands. The matter has resulted in several court cases over the years with ruling given in favor of Omadino community up to the Supreme Court stating that the University site is Okerenghigho.

Upon further investigation, Lawrence Erewele, the lawyer representing the Omadino community, confirmed the clarification in an interview with Warri Sentinel News, stating that a Supreme Court ruling had already affirmed Omadino’s ownership of the land in question.

Erewele stated that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami had sent a letter to the National Assembly in 2017, urging it to amend the bill to reflect the correct name of the university, “Nigeria Maritime University, Okorenghigho,” in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision.

Erewele further explained that Omadino community had initiated legal action against the 10th National Assembly after reports surfaced suggesting that a bill naming the university “Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko” was under consideration in 2023. He argued that such a move would contravene the Supreme Court’s judgment and infringe upon Omadino’s  legal rights.

According to him, the National Asssembly denied any such move, asserting that the said bill has since been discontinued in response to the Supreme Court judgment.

However, the controversy was reignited when Julius Pondi, the Federal House of Representative member, representing Burutu Federal Constituency in Delta State, excitedly claimed via a post on his verified Facebook page that the bill had already been passed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

Omadino’s lawyer, Erewele, dismissed these claims, stating that no such legislation had been enacted. As of now, Pondi is yet to respond to several calls from Warri Sentinel News on the matter.