Land Grabbing: Edo Committee Resolves Land Disputes, Midwives Settlements
By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – Petitioners and Respondents in several land disputes brought before the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee have continued to count the gains of freedom even as the expressed joy over recovery of property hitherto counted as lost.
Settlements, resolutions characterise hearings as more cases are being filed by Petitioners at the administrative unit.
On Thursday, October 17, the Committee heard 34 cases, with 4 commencements, a report on prosecution and reports by police teams on cases still under investigation.
Among settled cases was the matter between Irene Sale John versus Odion Cole. The community had decided to relocate the encroacher to another land and asked the Petitioner to take over his land measuring 100ft by 100ft, and situate at Idunmwungha Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
Police teams also brought the Committee up to speed on cases still under investigation, among which is the case of Pastor Favour Oriakhi, Petitioner, versus Faith Agbonghonghon.
The Petitioner stated that he bought 100ft by 100ft in 2019 in Iguadolor community in Ovia North East, and he surveyed same year, moulded 3,000 blocks which he intended to lay foundation with before he noticed encroachment, and that someone else had used his block to lay foundation, ahead of him.
The Respondent also said she bought same land in 2019 and surveyed in 2024. The police Investigative Team say they had visited the scene and observed that the land falls within the boundary between Iguadolor and Uhogua communities both in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
The Police Team further noted that the scene will be revisited.
Sitting continues in Government House, Benin City.