Community drags Edo Govt To ECOWAS Court Over Alleged Land Grabbing

Community drags Edo Govt To ECOWAS Court Over Alleged Land Grabbing

By Elvis Omoregie

 

 

The elders and people of Oke-oroma community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, have dragged the state government before the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the Alleged taken over of their ancestral lands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“In a petition filed in Abuja FCT with the suit No: ECW/CCJ/APP/10/23. Notice is hereby given to an application between Gaius Idusuyi Emokpae and 7 Ors against Federal Republic of Nigeria has been lodged by the applicant and registered on the 28th day of February 2023″.

 

 

 

 

The application also read” You are required to lodge a defence within (30) days after service of this application on you and take note that in default of so doing, the applicant may proceed herein and judgment may be given in absence”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recall that the state High Court seating in Benin on 17th of Friday February, 2023 adjourned the case between the Edo State government and the elders and people of Oke-Oroma community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State to Wednesday 5th of April 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delivering her ruling before moving for an adjournment, Hon justice V.O Eborimeh, said she is granting an order joining the 14 parties seeking to be joined as the 5th to 18th defendant as necessary parties in the sanctions while she also gave an order directing the claimant and all the parties to amend all their processes in the suit to reflect her ruling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The people of Oke-Oroma community is currently challenging Edo State government in court, over the forceful taking over of their ancestral land since last year, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lawyer representing the community, Barr Obamogie were in court as the people of Oke-Oroma community await anxiously for judgment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While they await judgement from the state High Court, they have decided to also seek redress at the ECOWAS Court.