LAND ACQUISITION: Federal High Court Transfers Case To State High Court Over Controversial 3,646 Acres By Nigerian Army In Osogbo

The Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital has on Tuesday, 3rd of March, 2020 transferred the case filed by Kelebe-Omu Landowners Association against the Nigerian Army to the Honourable Justice of Osun State High Court for trial.

The case was filed by Kelebe-Omu Landowners Association against the Nigerian Army for allegedly acquired land measuring approximately 3,646 acres belonging to them and their respective families without following laid down procedure.

At the ruling, Justice Ayo Emmanuel ruled that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction on the matter, having set aside the year 2012 ruling that empowered the Federal High Court to sit on same suit, adding that the prayers included the mapping out of land boundary which should be within the jurisdiction of State High Court.

Speaking outside the court, the leading Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Umar Muhammad said that the hope of Kelebe-Omu landowners has not dashed, hoping that victory await them as they will be asking the State High Court to grant their prayers with valid prove.

Umar added that despite the previous rulings in 2012 and 2015 in favour of the Federal High Court on jurisdiction on same matter using the basis of inclusion of Federal Agencies as defendants, adding that the court usually rules by the discretion of the judge in accordance with law.

Recall that the Federal Government had in 1973 directed the Nigerian Army to acquire land across the state of the Federation and Capital Tertiary for official purposes.

As at the time of filling this report, OsunReporters News cannot confirm the actual time when the case will be transfer to the Osun State High Court for subsequence trial and ruling on the prayers filed by the plaintiff.