Court arraigns two for forging Benin monarch’s land approval document
Estate developers in Edo State have commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for repealing the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2017 and signing the Edo State Private Property Protection Law 2021.
They described the law, which banned activities of land grabbers and property speculators in the state, as a step in the right direction.’
Speaking on the amended law 2017, Obaseki explained that with the law, the state government had not only banned Community Development Associations (CDAs), but also all sorts of splinter groups like land grabbers and property speculators in communities.
“We have been waiting for this law to reconstitute the committee on protection of private property. Now that we have the law, we will be reconstituting the committee within a fortnight.
“We will be using the law and more stringent measures to deal with erring individuals or communities that try to dispossess individuals of their landed property. We are setting up a special court to try offenders and if found guilty, they will face the consequences,” he said.
While commending Obaseki for the move, an estate developer in Benin City, Cyril Omoregie, said with the new law, the governor had shown that he meant well for Edo people and residents.
Also, Godwin Oaikhhena applauded the governor over the new law, which he said, would check the illegal activities of land grabbers, who have become an embarrassment and a nuisance in the state’s property sector.
He said although the Benin custom and tradition recognise some traditional positions in the administration of communities affairs, checking the excesses of some groups remained the government’s responsibility.
On his part, a notary public, Ebosele Okhifo, said the governor had done well but stressed the need for a workable structure to monitor developments, otherwise, the land grabbers would continue to operate under a new name.
MEANWHILE, the Ogbeson Chief Magistrate’s Court in Benin City, yesterday, arraigned a lawyer, Smart Agbonlahor, 65, and a 55-year-old Uwangue Osaigbovo for allegedly forging Oba of Benin land approval document.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge bothering on conspiracy and forgery.
The prosecutor, Kehinde Iyawe, said that the defendants were charged in case number MOGB/103c/2021 on July 19, 2021, along the Benin/Auchi road, Aduwawa, within Oregbeni Magisterial District.
“They forged an approval by former Benin monarch, Oba Akenzua on April 15, 1966, for land measuring 100ft by 200ft with beacon No N35/B, 46/B, 54/B, 55/B, knowing same to be false with the intention to claim ownership of the land belonging to Majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Henry Okhuarobo.
Source: Guardian
