An octogenerian, Solomon Idahosa, has appealed to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II and the Edo State government to wade in and prevent the Enogie of Evboivbioba village in Oredo local government area of the state, His Royal Highness Edwin Aigbe Izevbokun and Osakpamwan Eriyo from taking over his land.
Pa Idahosa said the duo’s act is a pure violation of the Benin monarch’s and the state government’s directive on the ban of the Community Development Association, (CDA) because the said parcel of land was earlier sold to him by the same traditional ruler in 2005.
Pa Idahosa alleged that Osakpomwan Eriyo also known as “No Molest”, invaded the said farm land with armed men, chased away the labourers and destroyed some portions of the economic crops with earth moving equipment with the so intent of repossessing it and they are yet to vacate the place.
In a petition to the monarch through his counsel, Imuentinyanosa Atoe, Pa Idahosa said that the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory gave verdict in his favour as the bonafide owner of the land in question in 2010.
He further stated that HRH Izevbokun and his family were directed to stay off the said land for him having earlier purchased the land through them.
He said the failure of the Enogie to respect the verdict and comply with Oba Erediauwa led to his suspension as Enogie of the community.
Similarly, our client in 2010 took the matter before the court in Suit No B/630/2010 against the Enogie when he failed to stop the act of trespass to our client’s land.
“That in the year 2013, judgment was delivered in the said suit in favour of our client after a term of settlement was entered into between both parties.
“That consequent upon the term of settlement by our client and the said Enogie, our client presented himself before His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba, N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin and pleaded passionately for the suspension placed on the Enogie to be lifted which request made humbly was granted.”
The petitioner further explained that surprisingly, the Enogie and his family instituted a suit No.B/676/2020 for themselves and on behalf of Evboivioba community against our client claiming the said land over which the Oba of Benin and the Edo High Court have given verdict on the 26th day of November, 2013.
The petitioner lamented that despite the new suit filed against the Enogie and his family which is pending in the court of law, they took the laws into their hands by deploying bulldozers to the land and destroyed the palm trees planted on it.
However, Osakpamwan Eriyo, one of those alleged to be involved in the land grabbing case, refused to pick up his phone despite series of calls put across to him neither did he respond to a text message sent to him.
Confirming the situation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 5, ASP Tijani Momoh, said investigation into the said allegation has commenced and findings would be made public at the appropriate time.
