By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – Between Monday and Tuesday alone, the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee headed by Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Retd) heard 60 cases revolving on Land grabbing and some on boundary disputes.
On Monday, November 13, the case between Mr Idehen Odion Michael Vs Osawe, CSO of Ekose Community and elders of Idunmwungha Community was resolved.
The Petitioner appeared before the Committee to report that he has received the title deeds from the respondent in respect of his 3 Plots of land earlier encroached on by the community.
The Committee however advised the Petitioner to ensure to bring the deeds of transfer, including survey documents and C of O to harmonize the documents in a multidoor Door Consent judgment
Another settlement was reported in Efe Ekuese Vs Jolly Aibangbe and Mrs Glory Salami where the sum of #2m was paid as part of the agreed settlement sum of #3.5m for Petitioner’s land encroached on.
The Respondent assured the Committee that the balance sum of #1.5m will be paid up by December 20. The case was adjourned till January 30 for report on full settlement after which the Committee would close the case.
In the case involving Ifueko Omogui, former FIRS boss, the Committee gave the Respondents up to January 30 to bring the rest of the encroachers and vendors to appear before the Committee.
Earlier in his report, Robert Okpeaye Esq, counsel to the encroachers appealed for a long adjournment in order to meet with the encroachers and occupiers. He stated that a Committee had been constituted to take a proper record and to report findings to the Committee. He also assured the Committee that there is no further development on the land.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Housing Development Edo State will be written by Oshireku Otokurin Esq, Secretary of the Committee in respect of an application for the Ministry to inspect land in dispute in one of the cases listed for hearing.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
