Ewekoro Communities Sue Ogun Govt For N3billion

Eighteen communities in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State whose land were allegedly acquired by the Ogun State Government, have dragged the governor of the state before Ogun State High Court sitting at Ota, southwest Nigeria demanding for the sum of N3 billion for trespass and damage to economic trees.

In a statement of claim filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Barrister Paul Ogundele, on behalf of Chief Rasheed Adeosan, Rafiu Adebiyi, Chief Ola Omolokun and Chief Aminu Jinadu, for themselves and on behalf of the traditional rulers and the land owners in the area, it was averred that for the past 300 years, they have been planting cash crops like cocoa, palm trees, teak trees, Iroko trees, sugarcane and engaging in fishing in the rivers and streams without any challenge.

Also joined as co-defendants are Attorney-General of Ogun State, Dangote Cement Works Ltd, Siemens Ltd and Zakhem Construction Company.

The claimants averred further that on 9 December, 2010, the governor of Ogun State authorised the publication, through one of his agents of land bureau, showing overwhelming intention to acquire their land for Dangote Cement and its agent named Nigeria Gas Company Ltd.

Up till date, there was no notice of purported acquisition formally served on them.

Consequently, the claimants contended that notice of acquisition not formally served on them by the governor on the various families, individuals and communities, is illegal, null and void.

The claimants also contended that the notice of acquisition for a private liability company is not for public purposes and overriding public interest, consequently the companies respectively commissioned Zakhem Construction Company to destroy economic trees and cash crops on the claimants’ lands and these have resulted in economic loss of N3 billion in some villages, especially in Aga-Olowo and Aga-Akurohbi.

In view of the foregoing, the claimants, while claiming the sum of N3 billion for trespass and economic trees damaged by the defendants are also urging the court to set aside all actions taken by the governor and Zakhem construction company in respect of the purported notice of acquisition issued.