Land developer seeks Benin monarch’s intervention in demolition

A registered Estate agent and land developer, Mr. Osagie Wealth Efe, on Friday, appealed to the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, to rescue him alongside other developers whose property worth millions of Naira were demolished by the Edo State government.

The state government had announced that it had taken over an expanse of land measuring 1,229 hectares, along the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road for the development of a new town.

Efe was among hundreds of protesters, who cried to the Oba’s palace, to solicit royal intervention, to ameliorate the untold suffering they are going through following the demolition by the state government at Obagie,  Oke- Oroma communities, in Ikpoba- Okha Local Council.

Osagie, who is married with three kids and a pregnant wife, said his house was brought down, just as his five plots of lands were forcefully taken by the government.

The developer, who were joined by other residents in the communities described the action of the government as illegal, noting that the state High Court had in its ruling before the demolition restrained the state government against the action.

He said he has been rendered homeless without any means of livelihood.

“I have a house and four plots of land in Oke-Oroma community. As we speak, the state governor has rendered homeless. We are squatters in a friend’s house. I have since submitted my property document to the government, without any positive response.

I am appealing to the Oba of Benin to assist,” he stated.

The Esere of Benin, Chief Stanley Obamwonyi with other two chiefs, who received the protesters on behalf of the Oba of Benin, urged the protesters to remain peaceful in their conduct, just as the palace would look into the matter.

The Edo State Commissioner for Information, Christopher Nehikare, said: “The land was acquired by the government in 2017 and gazetted for the new town project, but had been encroached upon by land speculators”.

He, however, called on affected property owners to come forward for verification and possible compensation.