BY LUCKY EFESE
An Edo State High Court , sitting in Benin has begun the process of execution of its judgement on a parcel of land measuring 500ft by 600ft which was alleged to have been unlawfully sold by elders and youths of Obah Village in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State to unsuspecting buyers.
The land which belongs to a Lagos based businessman, Sir Francis Aghedo, but was encroached upon by the elders of the community, selling same to unsuspecting members of the public who had started erecting structures thereon.
Sir Aghedo had approached the High Court to seek redress and a judgement was delivered in his favour.
In exercise of its powers to execute judgements of the court in Suit No. B/822/2022, the Chief bailiff of the court, in the company of security agents, including the judgement beneficiary, Sir Francis Aghedo went to the land, sealed it up and pasted the judgement documents on both the empty parcels of land, as well as the completed and uncompleted buildings as warning to the encroachers.
Speaking on the development, Sir Aghedo said that he legitimately bought the said land from the Enogie of Obazagbon village in the locality who doubles as both the administrative and traditional head that oversees the three villages to wit; Obah, Obazagbon and Obadolovbiyi which are under his watch.
He further said that no sooner he bought the said land, than he took possession unencumbered by surveying the entire land, saying he was shocked to see completed and uncompleted buildings on the land, a development which influenced his decision to approach the court to seek redress.
Having gotten the judgement, he said he embarked on friendly moves to give notice by pasting the judgement documents on the buildings to enable the owners who are disposed to negotiation to come forward and open talks as their failure, would enable him confiscate the buildings.
Aghedo who expressed concerns over growing acts of land grabbing by some unscrupulous elements in the society for financial gratification, however exudes confidence in the ability of the judiciary to administer justice on such matters.
Aghedo however, urged the members of the public to disregard whatever insinuations the enforcement of the court judgement might cause, saying the action of the elders and youths is criminal and the court has so ruled.
He appealed to the Oba of Benin and the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo to impose stiffer penalties on land grabbing to deter others from encroaching on innocent citizens landed property.
