LAND ACQUISITION: Court Decides On How Nigeria Army Allegedly Taken Over 3,646 Acres Of Land Through Back Door In Osun

The Federal High court Sitting In Osogbo, the Osun State Capital has fixed the 24th Of February 2020 to decide if it has jurisdiction to hear a suit filed against the Nigeria army for allegedly acquiring lands without following laid down procedures.

The case was filed by the Kelebe-Omu Land Owners Association measuring approximately 3,646 acres belonging to them and their respective families was encroached on by the Army.

The Defendants in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Defence and the Vhief of Defence Staff.

At the hearing before Justice Ayo Emmanuel on Monday, 20th January, 2020, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Temim Kadir, said the land belongs to the Federal Government who he said had not raised any issue over it.

The lawyer, on behalf of defendants then filed an application questioning the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

However, the leading counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Umar Faruq urged the court to dismiss the application, requesting that the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the case should be pronounced, adding that the defendants should instead file suit at the court of appeal.

READ MORE: How Nigeria Army Allegedly Acquires, Sell 3,646 Acres Of Land Through ‘Backdoor’ In Osogbo

After listening to both parties , Justice Ayo Emmanuel Adjourned the case till the 24th of February,2020 to rule on the application.

Speaking outside the court, the leading counsel to the plaintiffs, Umar Faruq, said the Nigerian Army’s acquisition of the land was not properly carried out under the law.

On his part, the defence counsel, Temim Kadri, stated the the defendants will await the ruling of the court.

While speaking with the Chairman of Kelebe-Omu Land Owners Association, Chief Amodu Akanbi, explained that the said 3,646 acres of land truly belong to members of the Kelebe-Omu land owners association which comprises Osogbo, Olorunda, Boripe and Obokun local governments of Osun State, stating that the Nigeria Army were illegally taken over the land that belong to his forefathers. Amodu Akanbi then called for optimism amongst other members of the land owners association that the Court is the last hope of the common man which will surely take what belong to them back from the oppressed.

Recall that OsunReporters News had earlier reported how the Federal Government directed the Nigeria Army to acquire land across the state of the federation and Abuja for official purposes since 1973.