The Community Development Associations, CDA, proscribed by the Edo State Government and Oba of Benin in Edo State seems to have resurrected with the alleged land grappling and double dealing of percel of land belonging to Otunba Mike Aladenika, former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State council.
Otunba Aladenika in a petition to relevant authorities which was made available to newsmen in Benin, raised the alarm that a land belonging to him at Okhuoromi village and measuring 100 × 100 feet has been trespassed by the chief(Ohen) of the community, Ovbokhan Igbinovia, lamenting that the foundation he laid too has been destroyed.
Otunba Aladenika who was armed with a video clips of relics of the destroyed property, said, ” I am forced to cry out now because I have realised that there are hundreds of Otunba Mike Aladenika out there who have suffered the same victimisation but were helpless.
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“Can you imagine that the same Ohen validly allocated the said land to his cousin, Uyi Enadegea, who sold the said land to me, to the knowledge of the Ohen as he personally facilitated the documentation and signing of the deed of transfer, years back.
“The Ohen collected his traditional respect and acknowledgement from me, while the Okaighele (youth leader) collected the sum of hundred thousand naira (100,000 Naira) from me in lieu of the required traditional cooking and they asked me to commence work on the land.
“All these happened about three years ago. Between then and December 2020, there was no contention on the land until the Ohen, Chief Ovbokhan Igbinovia,
came to encroach, destroyed and resold the land to one Uche.”
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The former NUJ chairman who said he has approached well-meaning Edo State citizens including principal offers of the Benin Traditional Council, top political leaders and friends who were privy to his onwership of the said land to talk to the Ohen to retrace his steps, said the Chief boasted that “I determine whatever happens in his domain, stressing that he is not subject to any other authorities.
Otunba Aladenika said his life is being threatened for asking for what rightly belong to him.
“My fear now is that my life is been threatened because I am asking for what rightly belongs to me but I have my mind made up that I will not give up on this crusade as this will also liberate many who are currently suffering the same issue.
“Rather for him to retrace his steps even when some people told him that his action to have demolished foundation is a forbidden act, he said he is the one that can determine whatever happens in his domain, stressing that he is not subject to any other authorities,” he lamented.
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But Ohen, Chief Ovbokhan Igbinovia when contacted on phone said he does not know what the story is all about.