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Ending Land Grabbing In Edo State: A Justice Cleaning The Augean Stables

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Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga(retired)

By Ijeoma Umeh

From Monday, November 14, to Monday, November 21, 2022 alone, the Edo State Private Property Protection Committee headed by its Chairman, the Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga(retired) had heard 91 cases, all bordering on issues relating to land grabbing and communal boundary disputes.

In this business, there is no social class culture. The elitists are crying as much as the ‘commoners’ over issues of land grabbing. The state government is not smiling, being a victim of land grabbing itself.

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Recently, the Hon.Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nekhikhare said that land grabbing in Edo State had cost Edo residents whopping #1.5bn.

The Retired Justice Eruaga sits over a Committee that is quasi-judicial in nature, with the full appurtenances of any such constituted setting anywhere in the world, and replete with members who grind as hard as they can pound in order to restore peace and harmonious living in Edo communities.

The Committee Chairman is imbued with the capacity, if the burden of evidences are heavy against them, to declare land grabbers fit to be charged to court or taken into custody.

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Both petitioners and respondents, and their witnesses are daily being quizzed by this 8-member Committee, people who love humanity, yearn for peace in Edo communities, but are ready to be stern where absolutely necessary in reaching far reaching resolutions.

The Edo State Government had set up the Committee on Protection of Private Property in February 2022 to resolve issues of land disputes, particularly land grabbing, through the instrumentality of the Edo State Private Properties Protection Law 2017, a Law to prohibit forcible entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conduct in relation to landed properties, to proscribe the collection of land based community levies , etc.

READ ALSO: Fire Guts Houses, Worship Centre In Edo

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For the state government, there is a palpable mess, and here is a veritable instrument to clean up the mess.

The Government House premises where the Committee sits daily teem with people from communities all over Edo State, both petitioners and respondents, heirs of persons who died intestate and of course, scheming land grabbers.

Their countenances only exude their anxieties, and behind that facade lies the hope of the common people to get justice, hope and anticipation for resolution of lingering land disputes as each clutch in the crook of their arms documents to be tendered as evidence, by which, they hoped, their prayers would be answered and their land tussles finally resolved.

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For most of the Edo indigenous people and non indigenes alike, so much depended on the mien and disposition of the Justice Chairman, Hon. Eruaga and other sound members of her Committee.

Here is a woman of sterling reputation and professional clout whom many have come to identify as “the mouthpiece of the gods,” and the face of Justice at the end of each legitimate process to reclaim their estate or inheritance.

A widow, Kudirat Idemudia, who accompanied another widow whose case was among the 25 cases listed for Monday November 14 to be heard by the Private Property Protection Committee headed by Justice Eruaga(Retd), spoke to this writer about the confidence she has in the capacity of the Committee to resolve land disputes and in facilitating express recovery of people’s property.

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“I am a widow with five children. My friend’s son is appearing before the Committee today. Some months ago, I brought a petition before this our great Justice Eruaga. The first time I appeared before her Committee, I was emotional and jittery, but surprisingly, she kept encouraging me, asking me to calm down and narrate my story. She was patient, and she took down every detail, she calmly asked me to sit down and respond to her questions and by the end of that first session, I knew I was on my way to recovering my children’s property which they inherited from my husband, their late father. Although the case was adjourned for hearing to a later date, I was happy I had taken the bold step by bringing forward a petition, without meaning to turn our family into a battle ground for household enemies. The Justice always told us that peaceful resolution of conflicts was the bases around which her Committee was set up.

“So by the time the case came up for hearing again, the Committee was clear in the resolutions reached which was signed by me and my in-laws. While both sides had nothing to lose, my children maintained their title over their inheritance. My immediate family members were happy, so also my in-laws who honestly desired to know who genuinely owned the property between two siblings, my late husband and his late elder brother. It was the methodical manner of interpretation of the wordings of the documents tendered in evidence before the Honourable Justice and members of her Committee that finally resolved the family dispute which had lingered for three years until I brought the petition before Justice Eruaga’s Committee.

READ ALSO: Fire Guts Houses, Worship Centre In Edo

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I brought my friend here now because I am also very confident that her matter will be amicably resolved since it is similar to mine, the issue of land grabbing.” The Retired school Principal stated.

The testimonies of hope continue to resonate all around.

The sitting continues, so also the cleaning.

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Oba of Benin Renews Bond With Ancestral Relations, Nigerians During Emorhọ Feast

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The palace of the Oba of Benin was agog with activities during the 2025 Emorhọ fest, declared by Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin as part of activities to mark the ancient Emorhọ, otherwise known as the ‘New Yam Festival’.

Oba of Benin, who reenacted the age-long festival, renewed the bond that exist between him and his ancestral relations from Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State at the event, which attracted dignitaries, including Benin people, indigenes and non-indigenes across Edo State.

Members of the Benin Royal family, Edionwere (village heads), youth leaders across the various communities in Benin, market women group, palace chiefs, traditional priests and priestesses in Benin, were also in attendance.

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READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Declares Two-week Fasting, Prayer For Edo

A special prayer offered on behalf of the palace by Chief Enorense Ozigbo-Esere, the Osuma of Benin, paved the way for the commencement of the feast, where Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, welcomed guests and highlighted the essence of the gathering.

Speaking in an interview, Oba Ewuare younger ancestral relations from Issele-Uku led by Chief Michael Odiakosa, expressed delight for the privilege to be part of the historic celebration.

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He explained the relationship between Benin and Issele-Uku, reaffirming that, “Issele-Uku is an extension of Benin Kingdom. We are all descendants of Benin. So, we are at home”.

READ ALSO:Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’

We are in a safe place. We came to celebrate the festival with our father, the Omo N’ Oba, and we are happy to be here”, Odiakosa said.

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On his part, 99-year-old Pa. Paul Osarumwense Oyemwen, the Odionwere of Orior-Ozolua community in Uhunmwode LGA who thanked the Oba for the gesture, said the festival is not new in Benin and it’s devoid of sacrifices.

Expressing her appreciation to the Oba of Benin, the ‘Edo markets leader’, Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Ibhaguezejele, noted that members of the group have been waiting anxiously for the opportunity to partake in the yearly festival, while praying God that the blessings of the festival to transform lives.

Also speaking, Pa. Daniel Osunde, the Odionwere of Idumwun-owina, N’ Iyeke-orhiomwon, also prayed for the Oba and thanked the first Class traditional ruler for his foresight.

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Excited guests in their numbers were fed with African delicacy, amid dancing and jubilation, while members of Isikhian women group who gave a good account of their stewardship, were not left out in the celebration by the Oba who rewarded them with cash gift and other items in acknowledgement their duties in Benin.

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Okpebholo Poised To Surpassing People’s Expectations — Edo Deputy Gov

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Edo deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa has assured that the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration is poised to surpass the expectations of the people of the state in terms of campaign promises fulfilment.

Idahosa said that the administration had hit the grand running right from the day of inauguration by identifying and prioritising the key areas of the SHINE agenda for implementation.

A statement by Mr Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, said Idahosa spoke when he received the prestigious Peace Ambassador Award from the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).

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The award ceremony held at the deputy governor’s office during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the IAWPA led by the President, Amb. Per Stafsen, the South-South Coordinator/Edo state Director, Amb. Amos Areloegbe, and other zonal representatives.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

“We pray, by the grace of God, Edo State will surpass the expectations of the people when we are through with our tenure,” he declared.

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Idahosa described the recognition as a source of pride, not just for him, but for the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration.

Governor Okpebholo is a man of peace, and his government stands firmly for peace. This award is a validation of his unwavering commitment to building a safe and harmonious Edo State,” he said.

The Deputy Governor emphasized that peace and security remain central pillars of the government’s five-point SHINE agenda, noting that collaboration with traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society organizations has been vital in sustaining stability across the state.

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Peace is extremely important in any society. Where there is peace, there is security; where insecurity prevails, peace cannot exist.

“This recognition today strengthens our resolve to continue being ambassadors of peace,” Idahosa stated.

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On his part, Amb. Amos Areloegbe noted that IAWPA, a United Nations–certified body aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), deliberately chose Edo State to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2.

According to him, “Edo State remains one of the most peaceful states in the federation, hence our choice to celebrate here.”

The investiture was hailed by observers as not only an honour to Idahosa but also as an acknowledgment of Edo’s growing reputation as a bastion of peace under Governor Okpebholo’s leadership.

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Ogoni Women Protest Resumption Of Oil Production, Demand Accountability In $1Bn Cleanup Funds

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Ogoni women drawn from all works of life have come out to protest against the resumption of oil production in the area without proper negotiation.

The women expressed anger over the non-transparent nature of the entire oil resumption exercise, accusing the government of attempting to manipulate them into giving up on their demands as expressed in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR).

The women further demanded that the Nigerian government account for $300million Ogoni infrastructure development fund which is alleged to have been diverted by some key government personalities in alliance with some Ogoni leaders.

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They further demanded accountability for the $1Billion Ogoni cleanup funds which they said is a failed project.

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The women, who marched on the streets of Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni, accused the government of neglecting the core demands of the Ogoni people including the demand for the creation of a Bori State and compensation for livelihood losses due to decades of devastating oil spills in the lands.

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“We lost everything, crops, drinking water sources, food and farming lands and we now live with strange illnesses which ultimately will lead to our death. No one is interested in all that. The only thing the government is interested in is our oil resources. We reject the insensitivity of the government and we want to be heard”; one of the protesters who pleaded anonymity told Ogoninews.

Another speaker, Mrs Helen Huoma said the plot to resume oil production in Ogoni is deceptive.

“The oil industry people are always lying. They will tell us something and do another. When we ask our MOSOP leaders, they tell us they know nothing about what the government and the oil industry are doing. It’s all a bunch of confusion and deceit. We will resist this move because we paid heavily to give Ogoni a name and the pride it has today”

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A woman identified as Janet from Gokana Local Government Area alleged that the Nigerian government has never been interested in the welfare of the Ogoni people.

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She alleged that the government had only been interested in the oil and after that, they appeased political leaders with contracts to suppress local residents.

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“All they do is deceive the Ogoni people and we continue to suffer in the midst of abundant natural resources. If they can divert $300million, then how can we trust them? Before we start, let them account for the $300 million and the cleanup program which, at least, should have solved some basic problems.”

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to engage the NNPC Limited and work out modalities for the resumption of oil production in Ogoni. This directive followed a meeting with some Ogoni leaders in Aso Rock, Presidential Villa.

The president had also recently granted pardon to the Ogoni nine including Ken Saro-Wiwa and to four Ogoni leaders who were murdered on May 21, 1995. The Abacha regime had blamed Ken Saro-Wiwa for the murders and executed him along with 8 others on November 10, 1995 despite global outcry acknowledging their innocence.

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Following the executions, a United Nations fact finding team visited Nigeria. The team acknowledged that the entire trial process was flawed and noted that Nigeria did not even follow the minimal prescription of its own laws in the conduct of the trial.

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