A human rights organisation, Campaign for Democracy has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman over the alleged forceful and illegal acquisition of land, unlawful destruction of properties by the Delta State government in connivance with some members of Umuodafe , Isi-Uzo community, Ibusa, in Oshimili North local government area.
In a petition signed by the Anambra State Chairman of the rights group, Comrade Philip Nnadi , on behalf of the complainants represented by Mr. Akeem Lasisi,Mr Etumiwe Ifeanyi and Mr. Abraham Ejike Nwosu who are members of Fountain City Landlord and tenants accused the Delta State government disclosed that various individuals own some vast expanse of land in an Odafe Isiuzo community land in Umuodafe Isiuzo Quarters, Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state which they bought through the community’s lawful attorney.
According to the petition copied to the Delta State Commissioner of police, AIG Zone 5 Benin, Speaker, Delta state house of assembly, Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Senate President, National Human right commission Abuja, Amnesty International and U.N Embassy, all investigations revealed that the state Governor, His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is personally interested in acquiring the said expanse of land through some members of Umuodafe Isiuzo community Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state who had earlier sold the land to the complainants.
While calling on the IGP to promptly investigate into the complaints for the protection of the complainants lives and properties that are in imminent danger, Comrade Nnadi said all attempt to have the attention of the state Governor over the matter have failed even as some members of Fountain City Landlord and tenants association have lost their lives out of severe shock over unlaw demolition of their properties just as several other members are struggling with different sicknesses as result of the said brutal inhuman destruction of properties.
The petition reads in full:
“We the above named human right organization incorporated in Nigeria upon the complaint from the inflicted and suppressed individuals represented by Mr. Akeem Lasisi,Mr Etumiwe Ifeanyi and Mr. Abraham Ejike Nwosu hereinafter referred to as the 1st to 3rd Complainants and upon their complaints we write as follows.
“The complainants and other various individuals own some vast expanse of land in an area known as and called Odafe Isiuzo community land in Umuodafe Isiuzo Quarters, Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state.
“The Complainants and other members of Fountain City Landlord and tenants association bought the vast expanse of land in the above named address from Umuodafe Isiuzo community Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state and Umuodafe Isiuzo land committee,Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state through the community’s lawful attorney.
“They maintained that the Fountain City Landlord and tenants association obtained all necessary approvals from the state Government and after the necessary approvals they started developing the said expanse of land.
“They were however shocked, when the Delta state government forcefully without any notice invaded into the expanse of land with earth moving equipment and fully armed military men and started destroying the buildings erected on the said expanse of land and other developments therein.
“It Is our instruction that the complainants and other members of Fountain City Landlord and tenants association obtained all necessary approvals from the state Government and after the necessary approvals the complainants started developing the said expanse of land.
“However to the complainants greatest shock, the Delta state government forcefully without any notice invaded into the expanse of land described above with earth moving equipment and fully armed military men and started destroying the buildings erected on the said expanse of land and other developments therein.
“The complainants consulted the commissioner for lands and heads of some ministries to enquire why the Government invaded into their lands without notice. All investigations revealed that the state Governor His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is personally interested in acquiring the said expanse of land through some members of Umuodafe Isiuzo community Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state who had earlier sold the land to the complainants. The complainants approached the community who sold the land to them and discovered that the community had a secret arrangement with the state Governor to take over the complainants lands forcefully.
“All attempt to have the attention of the state Governor over the matter failed above. Some members of Fountain City Landlord and tenants association have lost their lives out of severe shock over their properties unlawfully demolished and several other members are struggling with different sicknesses as result of the said brutal inhuman destruction of properties.
“It is pertinent to note that by section 43 of the 1999 constitution as amended that every citizen of Nigeria has right to own immovable properties any where in Nigeria and by section 44 of the constitution, no right or interest over such properties shall be acquired compulsorily except in the manner prescribed by law.
The law only permits acquisition of land for public interest after due notice and compensation. Lands cannot be acquired for Governor’s personal interest. And the use of force and other unlawful means to acquire lands constitutes a grievous offence.
“Consequently, we humbly request that you use your good offices to promptly investigate into the complaints for the protection of the complainants lives and properties that are in imminent danger; while we anticipate an expeditious response from you”.
