{
  "id": 18208309,
  "title": "Monarchs trade blame as Rivers’ land dispute causes panic",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/monarchs-trade-blame-as-rivers-land-dispute-causes-panic",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T00:04:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/monarchs-trade-blame-as-rivers-land-dispute-causes-panic/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Natives of the Woji Community in Evo Kingdom, located in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, expressed their intention to safeguard their ancestral land, referred to as Gbalajam, situated between the community and Alesa in the Eleme Local Government Area. The reason for this move is to prevent the land from being sold off. During a briefing on the disputed land, His Majesty Leslie Eke, the traditional ruler of Evo Kingdom, accused Chief Emeka Ihunwo, who claims the title of Eze Woji, of illegally selling off parts of the land to the public for 13 years without consulting his palace. The monarch stated that Ihunwo is not a member of the Royal Family of Woji and therefore lacks the authority to sell community lands. Eke also warned the public against dealing with Ihunwo, as he is not the legitimate person to address regarding land in the community. The clarification comes as Ihunwo claims that Eke encroached on the community's land despite legal proceedings.",
  "summary": "Two traditional rulers in Rivers State, Leslie Eke and Emeka Ihunwo, are trading blame over a disputed ancestral land in Woji, causing panic in the communi Read More: https://punchng.com/monarchs-trade-blame-as-rivers-land-dispute-causes-panic/",
  "key_points": [
    "Woji Community seeks to protect ancestral land Gbalajam.",
    "Traditional ruler Leslie Eke accuses Eze Woji Emeka Ihunwo of illegal land sales.",
    "Ihunwo claims Eke encroached on community land despite legal proceedings."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The escalating dispute over Gbalajam land highlights a breakdown in traditional leadership authority that threatens the community's ability to protect its ancestral territory from unauthorized sales.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}