…..Enogie Lauds Committee’s Efforts
By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – Parties in land disputes from various communities in Edo state have continued to applaud the Governor Obaseki-led administration for its initiative in setting up the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee.
Visibly elated, they described the actions of the Committee as having no iota of bias but working within the ambits of enabling laws in equitably brokering resolutions and reconciling warring factions.
HRH Prince Osaretin Akenzua, Enogie of Oko-Odighi Community in Ovia North East Local Government was among parties who applauded the efforts of the Committee at the weekend in Benin City.
The Enogie, whose case with members of his community was finally resolved last week, also enjoyed the privilege of having his community elders and other leaders pledge allegiance to his headship before the Committee.
They also promised the Enogie to stop the incessant and illegal sale of communal lands in Oko- Odighi Communities for which the Enogie had dragged them before the Committee. The Committee implored them to always get the Enogie’s consent and authorization before they transacted any land business.
“To say the least, the work this Committee is doing is overwhelming. If I didn’t hear, I wouldn’t have known, and if I hadn’t experienced it now, I may still have been in the dark. This Committee is indeed a legacy to Edo land. I thank the Honourable Justice and her team, and of course, the state government for the initiative. ”
The Committee, headed by Hon Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Retd) hears on average 28 cases at every of its sitting in Government House, Benin City.
It has further been commended for matching words with actions in making people see reasons why peace and harmonious living should be preferred to lingering crises and the disintegration of family units over land disputes.
The Committee has also been urged to sustain the pace of persistent efforts it puts into impressing it upon communities to adopt peace and tolerance.
Appearing before the Committee with lines of confusion and frustrations etched on anxious brows, parties with legitimate claims to ownership of properties would speak to their petitions amidst high expectations that justice would be served. Here, wishes do come true, justice is being served.
With 6 new commencements at every of its sitting, reports on progress of investigations from investigative police teams, the Committee’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism swings on optimal radius and Edo people continue to enjoy justice well served at the end of speaking to their petitions.
For two weeks now, settlements have characterized the outcome of hearings and terms of settlement are being drawn up on daily basis with resolutions signed; this is to the extent that legal counsels to parties would be put on the spot in the event their clients failed to sign the terms of settlement.
C.E. Zekeri Esq., legal counsel in the case of Christopher Itsueli and others was interrogated severally by the Committee on the issue of failure by some of her clients to sign the terms of settlement.
Addressing the Committee on Monday, August 21, the counsel stated: “My Lord, I have read the law to them and the implication of not signing the terms of settlement. They are all willing to sign and there is hope for resolution.” She appealed for more time for her clients to fully appear and sign the settlement terms.
Seven leaders of the Community, including the Odionwere and Okaeghele are expected to append their signatures on the terms of settlement but three signatories are still being awaited to sign.
The Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga Committee has given them up to 4 working days to get the resolution concluded and to close the case of encroachment and illegal sale of land.
In the case of Pastor Kingsdale Uwaifo Vs Taiwo Omorede where the sum of #1m was agreed as the settlement sum, the sum of #800,000 was being offered for advance payment. The Respondent was however detained for failure to meet his side of the bargain, by not paying up on schedule.
In Sunday Abure Vs Aibangbe & Osazee, another case of settlement, the balance sum of #25,000 was to be paid to the Petitioner by the Respondent while in the case of Salman Abdul Baqi Vs Alex Izevbigie a resolution payment to the tune of #1.8m was agreed to be paid to the Petitioner.
Also in the case of Austin Igiebor Vs Julius Okonta Afodu & Emmanuel Ojugbeli, report on settlement was also presented to the Committee by the Investigative Police Team.
Meanwhile, an additional statement was taken from the respondent in the case of Nicholas Enaboifoh Vs Osazee(aka OZ) & Others as Respondent has assured that he will no longer disturb work on the Petitioner’s land.
The Committee has directed the parties to attend the next hearing to resolve their differences to enable Committee close the matter. The case has been adjourned till Oct. 12.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
