ADVERTISEMENT

Communities protest against Osun Gov over 'illegal' land acquisition

The governor was accused of using official powers to seize land to convert for private use.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola

The land, measuring about 450 hectares, was allegedly acquired for the governor's close friend Bashorun Rotimi Obeisun to 'cultivate rice'.

Speaking at the protest, Chief Elizabeth Adeniyi said, "We refused Obeisun the purchase offer for two reasons. One, the land is our farmland where over a thousand people are making their living and secondly, we have ancestral attachment to the land. We have cocoa, kola-nuts, palm trees and many other things on our land.”

“Suddenly, we discovered the presence of the state officials and some of the family members of Obeisun on the land. At a point, we were all chased out of our land by gunmen and on May 17, it was published in a national newspaper that our land had been acquired by the state government."

ADVERTISEMENT

Also at the protest was Prince J.A Adewunmi who claimed lots of farm crops were destroyed when the forceful acquisition of the land was going on. He said this had impacted the source of income of the people working the land and demanded justice.

Some of the communities involved in the land trouble include, Ijiku, Osogun, Baajimo, Okunye, Walaye, Arowobusoye and Fanawopo, with the disputed land situated along Ijagbere/Ijebu-Jesa road shared by Obokun and Oriade local governments.

The protesters marched on the court carrying placards that read, "Aregbesola, this is oppression", "Aregbesola, free our land", "You take our land unlawfully for your friend", and a host of others.

The affected communities, with the help of a human right lawyer, Barrister Kanmi Ajibola, have slammed a N50 billion lawsuit against the governor, asking for restitution of the damage caused.

In the statement of claim, Barrister Ajibola said the governor "cannot acquire land on the pretext of public use and transfer same land to a private individual for private use."

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

Nigerians are expected to pay for TV licences — here’s what the law says

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

BEDC management denies rumours of dissolution, increases revenue

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

Federal Govt set to sue Binance ltd, officials for tax evasion on April 4

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

What Nigerian law says about treatment of people with disabilities

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT