By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Indigenes of Evbuovbioba comminity in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State led by their elders have described as false the claim by one Solomon Idahosa that the Enogie of the community has forcefully taken a parcel of that belonging to him.
Solomon Idahosa, an octogenarian, had accused the Enogie of using Osakpomwan Eriyo also known as ‘No Molest’, and some armed youths to invade his land, chase away his labourers and destroy some portions of the economic crops with earth moving equipment with the so intent of repossessing it.
He further raised the alarm that, the land which was sold to him in 2005 has been repossessed by the community.
However, in a swift reaction, the community said the land Mr. Idahosa claimed as his was never his own, adding that the land the community gave to him which is 1000 by 1000 is still intact without anybody encroaching on it.
Speaking, former Okaghele of the community, Mr Lucky Enobabor, said when the land dispute was brought before the then Oba of Benin, Erediawa, the Oba made a judgement that 1000 by 1000 parcel of land should be allocated to Mr. Idahosa because of his claim that he bears the expenses of taking care of Enogies whenever there was meeting, adding that the community adhered to the Oba’s directives by giving him the 1000 by 1000, just as he added that the land remains intact.
“So, the land Idahosa is claiming is not his own. the land allocated to him is intact there. We don’t want to involve ourselves outside what the Oba judged then,” he added.
Also speaking, Pa Okunzuwa Edward, said the community deserved unreserved apology from Mr Idahosa for lying against them in the public.
On his part, Mr. Ajayi Ebohon, said the claim by Mr. Idahosa that the community hired Osakpomwan Eriyo also known as ‘No Molest’, to invade his land was a false, adding that it was him (Idahosa) who consulted ‘No Molest’ to intervene in the land dispute.
He said they were in the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) zone 5 office to respond to the same Idahosa’s petition against them when they received call from ‘No Molest’ that Mr. Idahosa has consulted him regarding the land dispute hence they rushed to his office for settlement.
“As we were all at the AIG office, ‘No Molest’ called us that Solomon Idahosa came to him to intervene between him and our community. We all left police station to meet at ‘No Molest’ house, then Idahosa came.
“When ‘No Molest’ hear the truth from elders of the community, that was then he believed that it was 1000 by 1000 parcel of land, so, he started telling the truth to Idahosa that these are his community people and that he should know how to settle matter with them, but he got angry and started qurreling with ‘No Molest’ that he called him to support him and not to against him.
“The claim that he has many land is a false, he has no documents to show for that. The parcel of land he is even claiming is not his,” he said.
Mr Ebohon who said the insult the Solomon family is giving to their Enogie is becoming unbearable, gave Mr Solomon Idahosa 72 hours ultimatum to apology to the Enogie and the entire comminity or face libel suit
Also speaking, woman leader in the community, Mrs. Okhomina said herself and Mr. Idahosa were given 1000 by 1000 parcel of land at the same time and that the land is still intact hence all his claims are false.
Representative of the Enogie, Prince Kester Izevbokun, urged the general public to disregard all the allegations leveled against him by Mr. Idahosa, adding that he never used thugs to threaten him (Idahosa) rather Idahosa used thugs to threaten him on the land issue.
While noting that Mr. Idahosa’s claims were all lies and should be disregarded, Prince Kester said Mr Idahosa actually called ‘No Molest’ for intervention, adding that when ‘No Molest’ was not supporting him after hearing the truth from elders of the community, he was angry with ‘No Molest’ and started qurreling with him.
“I am using this medium to tell the general public to disregard that allegation. I never employed anybody to shoot gun or employ any thug. As you can see me, I am a peace loving man. I don’t have problem with anybody. It is Solomon that came with boys to threaten me and I went to the AIG to complain.
“It was when we were at the AIG office that call came from Eriyo (No Molest) that we should come, and that he wants the land dispute between the community and Solomon to settle. We all went to Eriyo’s office. it was when we were there that Idahosa came. Eriyo, after listening to everyone then told Idahosa that matter should be settled since we are all from the same place.
When Eriyo started talking to him, he got angry and started qurreling with Eriyo that he called him to join him to fight against the comminity, so why should he be supporting them.,” he said.