Do more to arrest land grabbing in Benin kingdom, Oba Ewuare charges Obaseki
By Elvis Omoregie
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called on governor Godwin Obaseki, to do more in arresting the growing incidents of land grabbing in the state, especially in Benin and its environs.
The Monarch said this yesterday through the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), in clarification of the recent crisis in Ukhiri and Ulegun communities in Ikpoba-Okha local government of the State.
Speaking for the Oba, Chief Henry Obazuaye, the Aiwerioghene of Benin kingdom, said the land grabbing leaves the victims without compensation or respite.
“The practice of land grabbing in Benin City and environs has reached alarming proportions. Individuals and corporate owners of vacant lands in Benin City and environs often see their property encroached upon and sold off by unscrupulous community youths. This land grabbing is sometimes even condoned by community leaders”.
“They sell other peoples’ land knowing full well their action is illegal. Worst still, the purchasers are also often aware they are purchasing other peoples’ land illegally”.
He said those who engaged in the land grabbing argued that once a structure is hurriedly erected on the illegally acquired property in Benin kingdom,the Palace of the Oba of Benin forbids such property to be brought down.
According to him, the practice has reached unacceptable dimension and must stop. In Ukhiri village and other parts of Benin.
“The Palace is inundated with cases of land grabbing by victims who come to the Palace to seek redress. In many cases, peoples’ farmlands are invaded and sold off to willing accomplices””.
” It should be noted that several parcels of land belonging to the Palace, have been taken over by land grabbers. The recent incident at Ukhiri happened because of the impunity of the Enogie and Youths of Ulegun, and the illegal buyers who typically built up structures hurriedly to avoid the law”
“The Palace condemns the practice of grabbing other peoples’ land in Benin as it is against our culture. The palace regarded this as akin to domestic terrorism and kidnapping”.
He however described the incident as a reconstructed form of the outlaw Community Development Association (CDA) notorious activities which he said will not be condoled.
“The Palace wishes to commend and encourage the State Government to do more in arresting this unsavouring behavior of grabbing other peoples’ land and leaving the victims with no form of compensation or respite”.
Recall that several houses allegedly built on the land allegedly belonging to the Oba were demolished at Ulegun on the order of the Palace.
The residents of Ulegun on Monday staged a peaceful protest over the alleged demolition of their houses supervised by the Palace Chiefs.
