By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – The Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee, headed by Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Retd) has finally brought to rest the matter between Mr Usifoh Ilegbedion and Chief Dr Solomon Ogbewe.
The Committee had earlier sent a survey plan to the Edo-GIS, and a report from the agency was shown to the parties at today’s hearing.
Flowing from the report, the coordinates from the plan clearly showed that the land the Petitioner purportedly bought in 2018 was not Chief Solomon Ogbewe’s land measuring 100ft by 200ft which Petitioner had intended to buy and actually paid #1.4m for.
Speaking briefly on the authenticity of, and how he acquired the said land, Chief Ogbewe informed the Committee that he bought said parcels of land from Ikhuonbo Community and when a dispute that ended in a litigation arose between Ikhuonbo and Iyanomo communities both in Uhunmwode Local Government area, the Iyanomo community, having heard that he owned the parcels of land, came to inform him that they had won the case and that the area had been ceded to Iyanomo community.
Chief Ogbewe said he promptly negotiated and bought the land again from the Iyanomo community and secured all the documents.
He also informed the Committee that the Petitioner, Mr illegbedion was the first buyer from that particular land and said he asked his nephew to go show the Petitioner the parcel of land and bring him back to finalize payment, which he admitted was done amicably.
Chief Ogbewe, in an emotion-ladden voice, recalled before the Committee some of the grief his said nephew had caused him, including selling off some of his properties. “He has made me go to court on some land matters, happily I won all.”
He finally informed the Committee that he was willing to abide by its decision.
“I have never taken anybody’s money that I did not work for. I believe in the rule of law and i am ready to abide by whatever decision reached by this Honourable Committee. ” the Chief stated.
The Petitioner had earlier appealed to the Committee that he wanted his land back, and that coming from 2018 when he said he bought the land, he had gone through so much ordeal since the wrong land was sold to him and he could not be allowed to develop it.
“Do you have another parcel of land to give to the Petitioner, Chief? The evidence on paper speaks to the fact that the Petitioner paid for land that he is yet to take possession of and which you have gladly accepted you received money for. It’s a simple matter. Let us know when you will give him the land.”
Chief Ogbewe therefore informed the Committee that in two weeks, he would go to show a new parcel of land to the Petitioner and promptly hand all the relevant documents to him.
The case was adjourned till September 12.
The Committee heard 34 cases, including reports on cases still under investigation.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
