Sitting for the year 2023 by the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee headed by Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Rtd) has resumed on Monday, January 9 in Government House, Benin City.
The Committee heard 46 cases revolving around land grabbing and boundary disputes on Monday and Tuesday alone.
While Resolutions were being reached in several cases, fresh new petitions were received at the busy administrative and records unit as early as Monday when the Committee resumed sitting after the nationwide public holidays.
Crowds of petitioners, respondents and residents seeking legal advice on their land issues were seen at the Committee’s office, waiting to appear before the Committee.
Among 46 cases which recommenced hearing was the case of Mrs Ifueko M. Omogui-Okauru, former DG, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, whose Plots of land in Avbiama village were being encroached on by the villagers.
A report by a team of investigating police officers read before the Committee stated that a Survey plan showed the size of the Plots of land in dispute, and it was discovered that 40 percent of the land belonging to the petitioner was encroached on while 60 percent was free in the particular land measuring 1000ft by 1100ft, while the other plots belonging to parents of the petitioner were not tampered with.
At the end of hearing, the Committee directed the Petitioner, Mrs Omogui, to go and take possession of the free portion of the land on one hand, while the encroacher is being sought out for on the other hand.
Meanwhile, Mr Festus Eboyiro, current Enogie of Avbiama village and son of the deceased Enogie Chief Evboyiro Osamugie, has promised to assist the Committee in identifying the illegal occupants of the encroached property.
According to him, “I am a witness to the fact that my father agreed that the land belongs to the Petitioner, Mrs Omogui.”
The matter has been adjourned till February 13 for further hearing on the matter.
