Following the Berlin Conference of 1884/1885, the British would lay claim to the whole of Nigeria while expanding their influence. However, it would not be a walk in the park, as the colonialists were met with fierce opposition from several prominent rulers in the Niger Delta Region. This opposition would lead to the deposition, removal and banishment of these rulers from their kingdoms.
Chief among them was King Jaja of Opobo.
King Jaja of Opobo
Born around 1821 in Amaigbo village in the Orlu district of Igboland, Jubo Jubogba, a name given to him by his master would go on to rise from penury and slavery into affluence, wealth and extraordinary leadership. He later became known as Jaja of Opobo.
As a slave boy in the house of the King of Bonny, Jaja proved to be highly resourceful, discharging his duties with a tremendous amount of effectiveness and enthusiasm. Following the death of Chief Alali, Jaja was elected head of the Opubo Annie Pepple Trading House. As an astute businessman, he would go on to expand the influence of the trading house and increase operations in the hinterland.
In 1868, a rival trading house, led by Chief Oko Jumbo, attacked his trading post. Instead of resorting to war, Jaja relocated his trading house to a new settlement which he named Opobo. Thus, he became independent of Bonny. Within a few years, he expeditiously drew the palm oil trade from Bonny as he served as a middleman between the European merchants and the produce sellers in the interior.
One of the ways by which the British sought to take over these lands was by the signage of treaties, promising the protection of these lands. A notable treaty which Jaja signed was that of 1873. This treaty would see Jaja become recognised as King of Opobo by the British. It also stipulated that no European trading establishments would be permitted in Opobo and that the Opobo River would be closed to traders above a certain point.
In 1881, Jaja of Opobo’s troubles with the British merchants began.
Jaja’s Troubles
George Watts had opened his factory in Qua Iboe (a suburb within Jaja’s jurisdiction). As a result, Jaja led two disciplinary expeditions to the region on April 11, 1881, and May 16, 1881, respectively. He claimed sovereignty over the Qua Iboe River and its people. Consul Hewitt, who had the mission of signing treaties, would warn Jaja off, stating that the Qua Iboe River and its people were under the protection of the British. This would lead to a disagreement which continued until 1884.
Another worrying issue that broke out between Jaja and the British was the signage of the Protectorate Treaty. At the time, the trade depression in England from the 1880s spurred the British traders into assuming that their profits would increase if they could thwart Jaja’s middleman’s role in the eastern Niger Delta. To achieve this goal, they sought the assistance of the British Consul.
The British Consul met with great opposition from King Jaja of Opobo and his chiefs, especially regarding a particular clause in the treaty that would have allowed for free trade by the British in every part of the territory. Jaja vehemently refused to sign the treaty until the clause was struck out and after a reassurance that the Queen was not interested in Jaja’s country and markets.
In addition, the European traders, in 1885, requested a reduction in the price of palm oil due to the drop in the world price. However, Jaja refused to heed their request. One of the British firms, Alexander Miller Brother and Company would break out from the African Association – an amalgamation of British trading firms – and join forces with King Jaja of Opobo. This defection triggered fierce commercial rivalries among British firms.
These other firms and the Foreign Council considered that Jaja’s attitude might make the exercise of the British Protectorate difficult unless he was dealt with. This stance was also shared by Vice-Consul Harry Johnston who felt that the most effective way to support commerce in the area would be the humiliation or banishment of Jaja.
The Exile and Death of King Jaja of Opobo
On September 19, 1887, Harry Johnston invited King Jaja of Opobo aboard a naval vessel. He assured Jaja that he would be free to leave whenever he wanted to. However, this was not the case. While aboard the ship, Jaja was given two options – he either granted access to the Europeans to trade or risk bombardment and exile. Jaja refused to back down and he was arrested and deposed for obstructing British commercial and political expansion.
Jaja of Opobo’s trial, which took place in the Gold Coast, present-day Ghana, was slated for November 29, 1887. He was accused of terrorism, administering illegal oaths to natives (apparently to frighten them from dealing directly with European agents), obstructing trade to the inland districts beyond his jurisdiction and blocking the highway and waterways entrance into Opobo River, thereby flouting the terms and spirit of the Berlin Treaty of 1884/1885.
On December 1, 1887, Sir Walter Hunt-Grubbe found Jaja of Opobo guilty and he was exiled to the West Indies. Jaja would eventually go on to campaign for his freedom. He appealed against the order with the assistance of Major MacDonald, a British Officer who felt that Jaja had been treated unjustly.
In May 1888, Jaja of Opobo was moved to the island of St. Vicente, Cape Verde. His health began to deteriorate and the Foreign Office decided to move him to Barbados. There, the people of Barbados having heard of the capture of an African King felt insulted that he had been subjected to such ridicule and shame. Jaja was welcomed with a loud ovation. The British, afraid that they might hatch an escape plan, sailed back to St. Vicente.
After years of appealing against his detention, Jaja eventually won the appeal and the order was revoked by the British Parliament. His health further deteriorated and it was agreed by the Parliament that he should be sent back to his hometown of Opobo.
Unfortunately, he would not make the journey home. He was sent first to Santa Cruz, Tenerife, to await the arrival of Major MacDonald. On the morning of July 8, 1891, four years after his unjust detention, King Jaja of Opobo died. He was 70.
The land of Opobo would rapidly fall into ruins after his death as the British exploited its resources.
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