By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – His Royal Highness Ogiesoba Igbinovia, Enogie of Uwusan Community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday appeared before the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee sitting in Government House, Benin City to answer to charges around Land Grabbing.
The Enogie was questioned, alongside other respondents, on his role in a missing one plot of land, part of 5 Plots given to a Petitioner by the Uwusan Community.
The Petitioner, Mr Johnbull Efionayi stated that in 2014, he applied for 5 Plots of land through the Enogie, but observed that there was a delay issuing him the land documents.
He stated that he had to take the matter to the community where it was resolved that the Enogie should join the then CDA Chairman and a Pointer was detailed to go and show him the 5 Plots of Land.
“When we got to the bush, rather than 5 Plots, the Pointer showed me 6 Plots. I took note of that danger signal and raised an immediate objection. I was asked to pay for the extra, but I rejected it. Then they demarcated and I took possession, took materials there and laid foundation. ”
The Petitioner said, not encouraged by how he was treated in his own community, he promptly decided to sell off the entire 5 plots of land.
“First, I sold two Plots to a client, but as soon as the owner of the two Plots came to start work, she realised that the entire land had been redesigned.” The Petitioner stated.
He told the PPP that he made several frantic efforts to get across to the Enogie to inform him of the development, all to no avail, but when he finally got him, that the Enogie pleaded, relocated him to a new place and the woman accepted the relocation.
Issues however came to a head when he wanted to sell off the last 100ft by 100ft plot and a woman came out to claim it.
Responding, the Enogie stated that he only gave the Petitioner 4 Plots pending when he would get an additional one plot situate in a safe place for him.
“I personally followed him to the bush, showed him 4 Plots of land. The original one he was given was in the CDA Era, and the CDA had sold off everything. I showed him 4 Plots, hoping that when there is a safe one plot, he would also get, but he refused.
“Asked by the Committee about the whereabout of the woman claiming the remaining plot, neither the Petitioner nor the Respondent knew.
“As it is, we don’t know this encroaching woman, and there is no document to show that the disputed plot of land has been sold off to the woman.
On his part, the Enogie has confirmed his signature to be true on the land documents transfering 5 Plots of land to the Petitioner. Enogie, go and give the man his remaining one plot of land.” Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga stated.
The Committee therefore gave one week to the Enogie of Uwusan Community to return the remaining one plot of land to the Petitioner or be taken into custody. The matter was adjourned till January 12, 2023.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
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