The Edo state private properties protection committee has chided the traditional ruler (Enogie) of Oghede in Upper Ekenwan Road, Benin, Osadebamwen Aghaghowa, over his role in a case of land grabbing.

The committee admonished Mr Aghaghowa to strive toward the maintenance of the culture, peace and progress of the community, which is in Egor local government area of the state.

It also charged community leaders in the state to leave legacies that their children would be proud of when they are no more.

The committee issued the warning on Friday in Benin during the hearing of a petition brought against Mr Aghaghowa by one Charles Erhiamiator.

Mr Erhiamiator had alleged encroachment and illegal sale of land against Aghaghowa.

He accused him of selling a piece of land where he buried his father to him against the committee’s directive.

He said that when the case was first brought before the committee, it was resolved that the Enogie should give him a new piece of land.

He said the Enogie complied with the directive but later exhumed his father’s remains from the disputed land and had them reburied in the new place.

Mr Erhiamiator said that he was, however, shocked to later find out that he (Enogie) had also allocated the same land to his younger brother.

He said that he sent a second petition to the committee on the new development, particularly when he found out that the Enogie’s brother had gone to erect a structure on the land to secure it against trespass.

In his defence, the Enogie admitted that he allotted the land to his brother but said it was done in error.

He said that he had proposed a new location for the petitioner.

Ruling on the matter, the committee chairman, Justice Alero Edodo-Eruaga (Rtd.), described the action of the Enogie as “terrible and reprehensible”.

Mr Edodo-Eruaga directed the Enogie to, as a matter of urgency, relocate his brother to another land.

He also directed the petitioner to “go ahead and survey the land”, adding that he should report any resistance to the police.

He further directed the investigative police team to invite Enogie’s brother to appear before the committee on/or before the next adjourned date of September 20.

(NAN)