By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – The Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee has reiterated its stance that collecting “Emolu” or development levies and settlement monies on behalf of communities is not part of its rules of engagement.
Speaking during hearing in Government House on Tuesday, Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga(Retd), Chairman of Committee and other members of the Committee, including Mr Austin Agbonlahor, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police and Dr Femi Ayewoh, rejected an appeal by a petitioner in the case of Bishop Dr. Samson Ajibola Eleyinmi Vs Lucky Izevbigie seeking for the Committee to help him collect Emolu and also stand as witness to the payment as it was to be made to the community.
“We do not collect Emolu or any other payments here. It is not part of the terms of engagement laid bare in constituting this committee.” Hon. Edodo-Eruaga stated.
The Committee therefore directed the Petitioner to go back to the Community and see the people as good neighbours and initiate the payment of Emolu as agreed by both parties before the Committee and come back to sign other documents that would close the case.
The Committee also tasked the community to ensure that the process of payment of Emolu was made seamless for the Petitioner and tasked community leaders against exploitation of developers through high development levies.
The Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee had earlier successfully removed the encumbrances on the disputed land by identifying an encroacher and removing him from the disputed land.
The Committee heard total 55 cases in two days and several settlements were registered.
Meanwhile, several aggrieved petitioners whose lands were recovered have continued to express gratitude to the Edo State Government for the succor which the Committee continues to bring to many embattled land owners and developers.
Sitting continues in Benin City.
