{"id":4608,"date":"2025-08-09T17:37:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T17:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/09\/from-1485-to-1716-how-pereiras-testimony-and-dutch-records-destroyed-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T17:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T17:37:09","slug":"from-1485-to-1716-how-pereiras-testimony-and-dutch-records-destroyed-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/09\/from-1485-to-1716-how-pereiras-testimony-and-dutch-records-destroyed-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"From 1485 To 1716: How Pereira\u2019s Testimony And Dutch Records Destroyed Itsekiris Land Ownership Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MEMORANDUM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From 1485 to 1716: How Pereira\u2019s Testimony and Dutch Records Destroy the Tenant Lie<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<br \/>Dated: [9\/8\/2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nigerian Government<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>INEC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>National Security Agencies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AU<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Global Media<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I. INTRODUCTION: FIVE CENTURIES OF UNBROKEN IJAW PRESENCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This memorandum presents unbroken historical evidence spanning over five centuries, from the earliest European accounts in 1485 to documented naval engagements in 1716, proving the Ijaw nation\u2019s ancestral ownership, political autonomy and military power in the Warri and Benin River regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It draws on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pacheco Pereira\u2019s Esmeraldo de Situ Orbis (1485\u20131490)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dutch West India Company Records (1716)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>British Intelligence Reports (1932 &amp; 1938)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiple Nigerian Supreme Court Judgments<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, these demolish Itsekiri propaganda that brands the Ijaw as \u201ctenants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>II. 1485: PEREIRA\u2019S TESTIMONY OF FIRST CONTACT<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Portuguese navigator Pacheco Pereira, in his Esmeraldo de Situ Orbis, gave one of the earliest European descriptions of the Niger Delta in 1485:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Pereira, 1485:<br \/>\u201cBeyond the River Benin lies the land of the Ijo, inhabited by a great people dwelling along the rivers and creeks, skilled in canoe navigation and fishing, and trading in salt, ivory and palm oil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is crucial because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Date Precedes Olu Kingship: The Olu of Itsekiri did not exist in 1485,Ginuwa had not even fled Benin yet (estimated c. 1510s).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No Itsekiri Mentioned: The first European mention of Warri-area rivers identifies Ijaws not Itsekiris.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Established Trade &amp; Sovereignty: Pereira describes the Ijaws as already engaged in organized trade, proving they were settled not migratory visitors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>III. 1716: THE DUTCH WEST INDIA COMPANY AND IJAW NAVAL DOMINANCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dutch outpost at Arbo and factory at Ughoton depended on hired canoes for trade. In March 1716:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eight heavily armed Ijaw war canoes intercepted two Dutch company canoes, carrying 850 pounds of ivory and 750 pounds of gum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a three-to-four-hour battle, the Ijaws seized the goods and a mulatto captive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dutch Factor De Reyke attempted to force a resolution by chaining four Ijaw chiefs\u2019 sons at Ughoton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Director-General in Elmina admitted openly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;There was little or nothing the Oba could do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By September 1716, the Dutch had recovered most goods through direct negotiation with the Ijaws, bypassing Benin authorities entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IV. THE HISTORICAL CONTINUITY \u2014 1485 TO 1716<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From Pereira\u2019s testimony in 1485 to the Dutch records in 1716, one truth is constant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ijaws were present, organized and powerful in the Warri and Benin River regions long before colonial boundary-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>European traders recognized the Ijaws as sovereign actors, capable of both commerce and military resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neither the Oba of Benin nor the Olu of Itsekiri had authority over Ijaw settlements in these waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>V. BRITISH RECORDS &amp; NIGERIAN COURT VERDICTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>British Intelligence Report, 1932 (CO 554\/122\/6):<br \/>\u201cGbaramatu and its surrounding creek communities are populated by Ijaw clans who have occupied the area before the arrival of Portuguese trade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Governor\u2019s Dispatch to London, 1938 (CO 554\/124\/3):<br \/>\u201cIt is inappropriate to assign control of Ijaw-inhabited lands to the Jekris (Itsekiris), who hold no customary rights over said territories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shell v. Tiebo VII (1996) 4 NWLR (Pt. 445) 657:<br \/>Supreme Court recognizes Ijaw ownership in Escravos region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E.E. Sillo v. Mid-West Governor (1973):<br \/>Itsekiri claim over Ogbe-Ijoh dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VI. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TODAY\u2019S DELINEATION CRISIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Timinimi v. INEC (SC\/CV\/1033\/2023) judgment is a modern echo of Pereira\u2019s 1485 record and the 1716 Dutch account: the Ijaws are the legitimate majority owners of Warri\u2019s waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day INEC delays releasing the final ward delineation report, it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perpetuates a fraudulent minority domination (6 wards for Itsekiris, 4 for Ijaws, none for Urhobos).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourages Itsekiri historical falsification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Disrespects centuries of documented truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VII. OUR DEMANDS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>INEC must publish and implement the delineation report immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nigerian policy must reflect true demographic and ancestral facts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International observers must monitor Warri to prevent ethnic provocation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any claim of Ijaw \u201ctenant\u201d status must be publicly withdrawn.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>VIII. CONCLUSION<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From Pereira\u2019s 1485 chronicle to the Dutch records of 1716, through British archives and Supreme Court rulings, the evidence is unbroken:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ijaws are not strangers here. We are the river\u2019s first-born.<br \/>We traded before the Itshekiris or Olu existed.<br \/>We fought before colonial maps.<br \/>We negotiated as equals with Europe.<br \/>We remain the rightful custodians of these lands and waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief, Tiemopere Joshua.<br \/>(President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief, Ebikeme T. Godstime<br \/>(Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ijaw Stakeholders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Uche Alvin MEMORANDUM From 1485 to 1716: How Pereira\u2019s Testimony and Dutch Records Destroy&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4453,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[398],"tags":[1334],"class_list":["post-4608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-from-1485-to-1716-how-pereiras-testimony-and-dutch-records-destroyed-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1114-1.jpg?fit=480%2C323&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4609,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/09\/from-1485-to-1716-how-pereiras-testimony-and-dutch-records-destroyed-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":0},"title":"From 1485 To 1716: How Pereira\u2019s Testimony And Dutch Records Destroyed Itsekiris Land Ownership Claims","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin MEMORANDUM From 1485 to 1716: How Pereira\u2019s Testimony and Dutch Records Destroy the Tenant Lie From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDated: [9\/8\/2025] To: Nigerian Government INEC National Security Agencies AU UN Global Media I. INTRODUCTION: FIVE CENTURIES OF UNBROKEN IJAW PRESENCE This memorandum presents unbroken historical\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Community&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Community","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1114-1.jpg?fit=480%2C323&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4451,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/ijaw-stakeholders-makes-rebuttal-to-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims-reveals-historic-anthropological-evidence-of-the-ijaws-being-the-aboriginal-occupants-of-escravos-forcados-and-warri-rivers\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":1},"title":"Ijaw Stakeholders Makes Rebuttal To Itsekiris Land Ownership Claims, Reveals Historic, Anthropological Evidence Of The Ijaws Being The Aboriginal Occupants Of Escravos, Forcados And Warri Rivers","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY MEMORANDUMDate: 19th July, 2025Subject: HISTORICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF IJAWS AS THE ABORIGINAL OCCUPANTS OF ESCRAVOS, FORCADOS AND WARRI RIVER SYSTEMS \u2014 REBUTTAL TO ITSEKIRI OWNERSHIP CLAIMS To:The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)The Attorney-General of the FederationThe Secretary to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Metro&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Metro","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/metro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1105-2-1.jpg?fit=486%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4452,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/ijaw-stakeholders-makes-rebuttal-to-itsekiris-land-ownership-claims-reveals-historic-anthropological-evidence-of-the-ijaws-being-the-aboriginal-occupants-of-escravos-forcados-and-warri-rivers-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":2},"title":"Ijaw Stakeholders Makes Rebuttal To Itsekiris Land Ownership Claims, Reveals Historic, Anthropological Evidence Of The Ijaws Being The Aboriginal Occupants Of Escravos, Forcados And Warri Rivers","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY MEMORANDUMDate: 19th July, 2025Subject: HISTORICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF IJAWS AS THE ABORIGINAL OCCUPANTS OF ESCRAVOS, FORCADOS AND WARRI RIVER SYSTEMS \u2014 REBUTTAL TO ITSEKIRI OWNERSHIP CLAIMS To:The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)The Attorney-General of the FederationThe Secretary to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Metro&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Metro","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/metro\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1114-1.jpg?fit=480%2C323&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4760,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/31\/rebuttal-to-the-false-claims-made-by-itsekiris-on-establishment-of-warri-local-government\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":3},"title":"Rebuttal To The False Claims Made By Itsekiris On Establishment Of Warri Local Government","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The attempt by Itsekiri propagandists to cite the Instrument Establishing the Warri Local Government Council, 1980 as proof of Itsekiri ownership of Warri lands is both legally misconceived and historically false. Let us analyze the facts comprehensively. Legal Context of the 1980 Instrument The Instrument Establishing the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinion&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1212-1.jpg?fit=402%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4777,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/02\/re-itsekiri-press-conference-calling-for-probe-of-inec-over-supreme-court-ordered-delineation-in-warri-federal-constituency-is-baseless-contemptuous-an-insult-to-the-constitution\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":4},"title":"Re: Itsekiri Press Conference Calling For Probe Of INEC Over Supreme Court Ordered Delineation In Warri Federal Constituency Is Baseless, Contemptuous, An Insult To The Constitution","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN REBUTTAL LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND INEC RE: ITSEKIRI PRESS CONFERENCE CALLING FOR PROBE INTO INEC\u2019S SUPREME COURT\u2013ORDERED DELINEATION IS BASELESS, CONTEMPTUOUS AND A DIRECT INSULT TO THE CONSTITUTION From: Concerned Ijaw & Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [2\/9\/2025] Introduction: Lies Cannot Override Law\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2328-2-1.jpg?fit=899%2C836&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2328-2-1.jpg?fit=899%2C836&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2328-2-1.jpg?fit=899%2C836&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2328-2-1.jpg?fit=899%2C836&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4775,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/01\/itsekiri-propaganda-cannot-override-the-supreme-court-order-inec-must-announce-the-final-delineation-result-now___ijaw-urhobo-coalition-group\/","url_meta":{"origin":4608,"position":5},"title":"Itsekiri Propaganda Cannot Override The Supreme Court Order, INEC Must Announce The Final Delineation Result Now___Ijaw, Urhobo Coalition Group","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN REBUTTAL TO ITSEKIRI NATION\u2019S FALSE PETITION RE: WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, ITSEKIRI PROPAGANDA CANNOT OVERRIDE THE SUPREME COURT. INEC MUST ANNOUNCE THE FINAL DELINEATION RESULT NOW From: Concerned Ijaw & Urhobo Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [1\/9\/2025] Introduction: Itsekiri Desperation, Not Justice We have read with disgust\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0325-3-1.jpg?fit=569%2C762&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0325-3-1.jpg?fit=569%2C762&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/img_0325-3-1.jpg?fit=569%2C762&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1ck","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4608\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}