Benin, Edo - From Monday, 26th to Thursday February 29, the Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee sitting in Government House Benin City heard 87 cases, mostly bordering on land grabbing and related matters.

The Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga headed Committee deploys the Edo State Private Properties Protection Law 2021 in resolving matters brought through petitions from relief-seeking Edo residents and land owners from various communities in the state. However, being pro-people, the Committee also greatly relies on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in settling matters, with peaceful coexistence at the nerve of its Resolutions.

Several cases were during the week in review reported by the Investigative Police Team as being settled, even as others were on the verge of resolution. A few cases were struck out for failure of Petitioners to appear over a long period of time to pursue their cases.

The Committee took decisions in several cases, bringing to an end certain lingering tussles over land, thereby restoring peace to Edo communities.

In the case between Grace Ighodaro Vs Enogie and Elders of Egor, Hon. Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga(Retd), Chairman of Committee addressed the Respondents, elders of Egor Community thus: "You cannot regularise what you don't know. Remove whatever you have put there in the land and give the Petitioner back her land."

Also struck out for lack of merit was the case between Mr Victor Ehi Oliha & Mrs Nohense Iyokho Vs Enogie Oaazuwa Iduriase, Enogie of Eyaen community.

The Enogie had appeared before the Committee to answer to the allegation of encroachment into part of land being claimed by the Petitioner as his inheritance.

The Petitioner had accused the Enogie of using his influence in attempting to take his inheritance from him.

The Enogie however stated that he inherited 100ft by 100ft of the 200ft by 200ft being claimed by the Petitioner from his father and that despite his certainty about his ownership of the land, he still asked the Petitioner to produce his documents for verification.

The Enogie stated that when the documents were brought, he observed the alterations and queried it. He said regardless of the alterations, he went ahead to explain to Petitioner that the disputed part was his inheritance.

After the Committee had carefully looked at the alterations the Petitioner was also requested to look at the abnormalities, and the Petitioner agreed that indeed there were alterations but that they did not in anyway negate the issue of his claimed ownership. He maintained his claim that the entire land was his inheritance from his mother, on which he had been collecting rent.

The Committee however saw the alterations as integral in the process of ascertaining ownership and told the Petitioner so.

"At times legality does not answer to Justice on a case, but in this instance, the alterations are not only illegal but tell a lie on your claims. Let your mother rest in peace. Try and ensure the portion that is legally yours is secured. This case is therefore struck out for lack of merit."

The counsel to the Petitioner assured the Committee that he would advice the Petitioner on what further actions to take.

Sitting continues in Benin City.