Latest news

Revocation Of Farmland: Ize-Iyamu Faults Amagba Community’s Stance, Describes Act Petty, Politically Motivated

Published

5 years ago

August 1, 2021

The All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the 2020 guber race in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has faulted the stance of Amagba community elders who earlier on Sunday hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki for revoking the Certificate-of-Occupancy , CofO, of his 18 hectares of farmland in the community.

Ize-Iyamu, who reacted to the statement issued by the Amagba community in regards to the governor’s action, described the revocation as “petty and politically motivated”, an exercise carried out “in clear violation of legal rights and moral principles “.

In a lengthy press statement endorsed by John Mayaki, which he signed off as a “Edo State APC Chieftain”, the cleric turned politician warned that since the matter had become an issue before the law, the Amagba community elders who endorsed the earlier statement, risked being charged for contempt as the matter had become sub judice.

Mayaki, who was APC Director of Media for the Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation during the September 19, 2020 governorship race, inferred that the timing and the circumstances of the revocation of the farmland gave credence to the widely held opinion that Governor Obaseki was on a vengeance mission against Ize-Iyamu.

“No doubt exists that the state government’s action is driven by a petty, politically motivated feeling of vengeance given the timing and other surrounding circumstances, hence the unrestrained and total condemnation of the move by right-minded actors and seasoned democrats in the state and across the country”, the statement read.

He continues, “In issuing the statement, particularly now that the matter is now a case of law, these elders have exposed themselves to accusations and possible charges of running afoul of the law of sub judice which prohibits public discussions, particularly those laced with personal bias and poorly-concealed agenda, on issues under judicial consideration”, Mayaki warned.

To put the record straight over the ownership and acquisition of the farmland, Ize-Iyamu explained that “the case is really a simple matter of abuse of power uniting with desperate opportunism.

“One of such is the emphatic way in which the Amagba community, through the representing elders, reiterated to everyone that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu duly purchased the land from the community as any other private individual would, therefore discrediting previous propagandist claims of original ownership by the state government and its agents.

“Indeed, they conceded that the land in question was “awarded to him (Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu) by the community”, effectively retiring and putting paid to the mischievous and calculated lie promoted by the government that it owned the land and that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, by some sleight of hand, wrestled its ownership from it. No community can preside over nor sell a piece of land owned by the government to any individual. This is a fact we call agree on.

“What was skipped, however, was that a sizable portion of the land now brought into dispute by a vindictive government was given to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by the revered Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This is a fact known to both the state government and the community elders. That they are refusing to acknowledge or honor it, and are in fact laying claims to the portion too, reveals a public disregard and translates into a direct challenge of the monarch’s ownership of the portion so given. As any true Benin son or daughter would agree, this is an outrage.

“Further, the elders claimed in the statement that the land had not been utilized and is home to thieves, robbers, rapists, and other criminal elements. It is unclear which land they were referring to and whether they had not been mistaken, or confused by the bias they made little efforts to hide, considering that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s land in the community is not only protected by a fence but plays host to several notable structures facilitating various agriculture undertakings which the community, Edo State, and indeed the South-South region have benefited from”.

To buttress the fact that Ize-Iyamu had actually used the land in question for purely agricultural purposes, the statement added that “the Federal Government, under the N-POWER scheme, has twice conducted agricultural training for candidates selected across the South-South region on the farm. Similar to other institutions, churches, private organizations, and notably the Edo State government too.

“They have all sent students and other individuals to the farm to gain practical knowledge and improve their expertise. Hardly could all of these be done on a territory supposedly playing host to robbers and criminals.

“In fact, as a mark of recognition and gratitude for attracting development to the community with the farm, not least the completion of a previously abandoned electrification project, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was made an elder of the community despite not being its indigenous member.

“These are all easily verifiable facts, reports of which are in the public domain, including the portion of land given to Pastor Ize-Iyamu by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to the knowledge of the community. Are they also asking the government to revoke the same? Is the ownership of the Oba over the portion of land he gave to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu also in dispute?

“If truly there was a case of encroachment and ‘domination’ as alleged in the statement, how come the community has not approached the courts for arbitration, instead of doing what could now be reasonably interpreted as manipulating and riding on the vindictive feelings of an aggrieved political character who is bent on using the instruments of state to inflict retributive damage on his opponents?”

The statement submitted that, “once sold, the ownership of any possession, including lands, changes hands. Should the original owner run into hard times and in desperate need of a windfall, the right approach is to seek inventive means of revenue generation, not devote efforts to back-door repossession of that which has been sold and handed over for yet another auction. It is illegal and immoral.

“And by instigating and sponsoring these efforts, the state government is causing a big dent in the state’s investment viability as no investor commits funds in environments where laws are treated as secondary to personal sentiments and legal ownership of properties are revoked, frivolously, to avenge perceived slights”.

Ize-Iyamu urged Amagba community elders to hold as sacrosanct, the truism that “the voice of elders is important for guidance and peace in every society“, appealing to them “to preserve this moral authority and accorded respect by speaking to the facts and avoid lending themselves to acts of abuse of power in pursuit of personal benefits”.

Up Next

Desperation To Escape Socioeconomic, Security Challenges Led To Increased Migrants To Europe – UNHCR

Don't Miss

NDLEA Recovers 35wraps Of Cocaine From Lady’s Underwear, Intercepts Drugs Going To Italy, Turkey

Comments

Latest news

Mob Fury Over Missing Man: Youth Leader Declared Wanted as Brother, Mother Die in Akwa Ibom Community Tragedy

Published

12 months ago

May 10, 2025

Editor

By Our Correspondent

Tension and grief have enveloped Effoi Village in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State following a tragic mob attack that claimed the life of a middle-aged man, Godwin Ikott Bassey, amid allegations linked to his elder brother, Dennis Ikott Bassey.

The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the community, was reportedly triggered by the unresolved disappearance of a villager, a development that has fueled anger among local youths for years.

Sources within the community disclosed that the mob, allegedly acting on suspicion and pent-up frustration, stormed the residence of the Bassey family in search of Dennis Ikott Bassey, who has been accused of having a connection to the long-standing case.

Unable to find their prime target, who was reportedly said to have fled to Benin City, Edo State, for safety, the assailants descended on his younger brother, Godwin Ikott Bassey, fatally attacking him in what eyewitnesses described as a brutal act of mob justice.

It was gathered that Dennis Ikott Bassey, now on the run, had long been on the radar of irate youths over a lingering community-related dispute said to have spanned over 10 years.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, told our correspondent that Dennis Ikott Bassey once served as the youth leader of Effoi Village, a position that placed him at the centre of several sensitive community matters.

The source further revealed that suspicion surrounding his alleged involvement in the unresolved disappearance had continued to grow, eventually boiling over into violence.

The unfortunate incident, which occurred on May 15, 2025, has since deepened divisions within the community, with many residents expressing fear over possible reprisals and further unrest.

In a tragic twist, the violence did not end with the killing of Godwin, as his aged mother reportedly slumped and died shortly after receiving news of her son’s gruesome death.

Residents described the elderly woman’s death as heartbreaking, noting that the emotional trauma proved too overwhelming for her to bear.

Further findings revealed that the late Godwin Ikott Bassey was a well-known automobile mechanic in the area, respected for his quiet lifestyle and dedication to his trade.

However, it was further gathered that the assailants allegedly trailed Dennis to Benin City, where they reportedly unleashed another wave of violence in an area within the metropolis where he was believed to be hiding.

The police authorities in Edo State, upon enquiry by our correspondent, confirmed the incident, stating that no arrests had been made in connection with the development.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach local law enforcement authorities in Akwa Ibom State were unsuccessful, while the whereabouts of Dennis Ikott Bassey remain unknown, with community members calling for calm and a thorough investigation into the incident.

Latest news

Tension As Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Informant In Imo Community

Published

1 year ago

April 25, 2025

Editor

By Qosim Sulaiman

Palpable tension engulfed the residents of Nkwogwu community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the killing of an elderly man, Pa Albert Nwanchukwu, believed to be a police informant.

The assailants, numbering about eight, who reportedly stormed the home of the late Nwanchukwu at about 10pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, were said to have met him where he was relaxing in his compound and immediately opened fire on him.

According to our source who pleaded anonymity, before his assassination, the late Nwanchukwu, had reportedly went to a police station in the locality to inform them of the activities of the gunmen, just as he pleaded to the police to get them arrested.

Our source disclosed that the late Nwanchukwu never knew that some policemen are accomplished in the act, adding that the policemen no doubt informed the gunmen who in anger came and killed him.

Our source narrated: “They were about eight in number. They came with different weapons – guns, machetes. They were all masked except their leader.

“It was late but the floodlight from the streetlight was bright. They drove dangerously and went straight to Mr Albert Uwandu Nwachukwu house. The man was relaxing in the front of his house. Immediately they saw him, they opened fire,” he died on the spot”, an eyewitness who saw the entire scene from the balcony of his house recounts.

Our source added: “Further investigations proved that the spy had informed this notorious gang of late Pa Nwachukwu’s visit to the police, thereby leading to the attack on his household.”

After killing the man, the gang reportedly went inside the house searching for other family members.

While it was evident that the gang intended to eviscerate the entire members of the family, three of his children – Victor Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Promise Rita Nwachukwu Yakubu and Blessing Nzebechi Nwachukwu escaped.

“I saw the three of them. They ran through the back door. Since that time, we have not seen them again”, the same eye-witness disclosed to our correspondent.

This particular incident has thrown the entire community and Aboh Mbaise Local Government in general, into mourning.

While some questioned the safety of police informants, other believed the incident shows the rot in the police force of the country.

Expressing his disappointment in the police, the chairman of Aboh Mabise LGA; Honourable Barrister Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe vowed a major crackdown on the unknown gunmen.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma promised a total clampdown and return of sanity to the community.

Latest news

Protect Oil Palm Host Communities; Address Spate Of Kidnapping, Violence, Govt Told

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A non-profit organization – African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), has appealed to the government at levels to ensure the protection of oil palm host communities and address the spate of kidnapping and violence in such areas.

AFRILAW further urged the governments to ensure that communities’ rights and privileges are respected in land deals with oil palm companies to avoid human rights violations.

Okereke Chinwike Esq,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AFRILAW, made the appeal in Benin on Tuesday at the Public Presentation and launching of ‘The Community-based Report on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State.’

INFO DAILY reports that the event is part of AFRILAW activities under the “Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project,” being implemented by AFRILAW in partnership with Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with funding support from True Cost Initiative (TCI) USA.

According to the AFRILAW founder, addressing companies’ human rights violations from their operations in host communities require evidence-based research, hence the research and report presentation.

“The Report we are presenting today documents evidence of community rights violations by major oil palm companies operating in the state. The research is informed by the increasing spate of violence and community protests against the operations of oil palm companies operating in Edo state, and provides greater understanding of the prevailing cases of community and human rights violations and nature of conflicts,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the government to
“put in place a mandatory binding CSR laws and guidelines for companies to ensure that community rights and privileges are protected.”

He further appealed to the government to “ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and set forth clear expectations for business enterprises regarding the importance of respecting the rights of human rights defenders, indigenous people and communities in Nigeria.”

On his part, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), described the report as essential, stressing that beyond normal advocacy, research-based advocacy is more efficient and effective.

Represented by Mrs Mary Okoh, Deputy Director, Legal/Focal Point Business and Human Rights, NHRC, Ojukwu said beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organization should take seriously major issues of mainstreaming human rights into their operations.

“That means anyone who wants to set up a business must put into consideration the needs of the people and not what the organization or company needs. We have found out that this is where human rights violations start.

“Let them be part of the discussion and planning in the setting up of the business. Let them know what is at stake for them,” he said.

Goodwill messages were delivered by government agencies and ministries, while the presentation and launching also attracted security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service among others.