By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – A Petitioner, Tonia Ijeoma Mgbemeje was visibly elated today when the terms of settlement in the land dispute between her and Etete Community was being read during the Committee’s sitting today in Government House Benin City.
Reading the terms of settlement aloud, Oshireku Otokurin Esq, State Counsel and Secretary, Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee passed it to Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Retd), Chairman of Committee, who in turn studied the terms of settlement and made her observations and recommendations.
The terms of settlement stated that issues associated with development levy on the Petitioner’s land measuring 50 feet by 100 feet which caused frictions between the Petitioner and Etete Community were resolved, with the Petitioner agreeing to pay the sum of #100,000 only.
Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga however recommended that, in the absence of official receipt, the terms of settlement be legibly documented
in the community’s letterhead paper with the Enogie and Okaeghele appending their signatures thereto.
The first Respondent, Eribo Bright, Okaeghele of Etete Community agreed to the recommendations, assuring the Committee that Etete Community would not extract payment for development, also known as “Emolu” twice from any developer.
The Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee has always enjoined leaders from communities in Edo state to treat with understanding the issues of Emolu and ensure developers were not being overcharged on the basis of the levy.
The case between Mrs Otote Osasumwen Justina and Uyiosa was also reported as settled. Both parties had taken possession of their lands, the Police Investigative Team reported. With this development, the case is deemed to have closed, the Committee stated.
Also reporting progress on his case, Mr Peter Aikoriegie Obobaifo informed the Committee that since the Caveat banner from the Committee was placed, there had not been further encumbrances on the land. The Committee would hear more updates on the case on June 31st.
Still on settlements, the case between Salman Abdul Baqi and Alex Izevbigie was also reported to being on the verge of settlement as the Respondent, Alex Izevbigie had paid the sum of #600,000 out of the total settlement sum of #850,000, with an assurance to offset the balance #250,000 on Friday, June 9. The Committee has scheduled to hear the final settlement from the parties on June 20.
Between Monday, June 5 and Thursday June 8, the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee had heard 94 cases, all bordering on various land grabbing offenses, with more petitions being filed on daily basis from across communities in Edo state.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
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