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THE Ijeun-Lukosi community of Abeokuta, Ogun State, alleged owners of the land hosting the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, and other private properties, wants the land back. Consequent upon the request, Ogun State high court has restrained the trustees, the government and other defendants from destroying the claimants’ shrines on the land until the determination of the suit.

Plaintiffs in the matter include Benjamin Ogunbona, Akeem Taoreed, Gbenga Amos, Dele Taiwo, Musiliu Oyegunle, all title chiefs on behalf of Ijeun Lukosi community of Ogun State. The suit has as defendants the governor of Ogun State; director general, Bureau of Land and Survey; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, OOPL Ventures Ltd, the incorporated trustee of OOPL foundation, DLK Aluminium Products Ltd, Beneficiaries of the Estate of the late Sesan Soluade;  Lola Oyerinde and Alli Ajibode.

Others for the reversion of the land are Kunle Salako, Adeleke Adedoyin, Yomi Majekodunmi, Layi Shobayo, Inspector General of Police and the state commissioner of Police. The court had on January 10, granted an order restraining the defendants from destroying the shrines located on the land. The entire Ijeun-Lukosi community is praying the court for the reversion of the land to the community as the bona-fide owners, since it’s no longer used for the original purpose of the acquisition but shared to private individuals.

In a 50-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, Benjamin Ogunbona, Baale of Ijeun-Lukosi Community, claimed that Ogun State government compulsorily acquired the land in 1976 for the purpose of building the state secretariat complex, but did not use it for that purpose but re-allocated it to individuals for private use. According to him, more than 100 individuals have now erected private properties on the land among whom are Obasanjo’s Presidential Library, Kunle Salako, a former SSG, Ogun State; Adeleke Adedoyin, Yomi Majekodunmi among others.

The Presidential Library was said to be a private property of Obasanjo as contained in a letter written to the community by the National Library of Nigeria, February 2, 2016 and signed by Aminu Ojaj, secretary to the board/legal adviser. Ogunbona noted that after pressure was mounted on the government, it excised 33.253 hectares out of the land to the community in 2011, but did not pay any compensation to the people of Ijeun-Lukosi community for the compulsory acquisition of their land as provided by law.

The the traditional ruler said: “Our land measured approximately 178.89 hectares, which amounted to 444.52 Acres of land from time immemorial and we have exercised undisturbed act of ownership on same without let or hindrance from any quarters until 1976 when the newly created Ogun State government compulsorily acquired part  of our land.”

The government in its response through Omilana Korede of the Bureau of Lands and Survey, confirmed the acquisition of the land by Ogun State Government in 1976. He, however, argued that the land was validly acquired, crops properly enumerated and the compensation deposited with the Bureau of Lands and Survey a long time ago. Panel of enquiry He also averred that the 38.253 hectares the community said was returned to them in 2011 had also been cancelled by a panel of enquiry set up by the current government. His 12-paragraph affidavit read in part: “That sometimes in 1976, the Ogun State government acquired a large area of land which forms part of the large expanse of land measuring 3, 674 hectares for public purpose; to construct the State Secretariat.

“That the land was validly acquired by the enabling law. That copies of notice of acquisition were served on the affected land owners and villagers and where they were hostile, the notices were posted on conspicuous objects like trees and rocks.

“That the 38.253 hectares that was claimed by the defendants to have been released to them has since been cancelled by the Panel of enquiry on Lands headed by Justice Abiodun Akinyemi.”

The matter has been adjourned to March 23, 2017 for hearing.

—  Mar 13, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT

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