Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Edo State Private Properties Protection Committee (EPPPC) has given a marching order to one Elder Ikpomwosa Akewe, 94, to appear before it on Sept. 21over allegation of land-grabbing.
Akewe was accused of allegedly conspiring with some youths in selling Evboro community land in Ovia North-East of the state to the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Cooperative, Edo branch.
Festus Osagiede, the head of five neighbouring communities – Evboro, Iguogie, Iguotor, Iguedobor and Okhonmwenne in Ovia North-East of Edo, had petitioned the committee to stop the NMA from acquiring the land and Akewe for further sales of Avboro land.
According to him, the respondent, Akewe is the third in command who was suspended because of alleged issues committed by him in the community.
Osagiede noted that the Evboro community had 10 elders presiding over the activities in the community, yet the respondent single handedly sold the land to NMA cooperative.
Consequently, the Chairman of the committee, Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga, directed the police to do the needful to ensure that the respondent appears before the committee in the next adjourned date on Sept. 21.
Earlier, the police prosecution, SP Charles Akhueche, told the committee that the respondent, Akewe was absent because of a court case involving him at a High Court in Okada.
Truth Live News reports that the committee, headed by Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Rtd), is saddled with the responsibility of supporting government’s efforts in checking activities of land grabbers and property speculators in communities across Edo.