Special Report By Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku
Authority of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria is currently on a collision course with residents of Uteh-Ekoh and Aduwawa communities, along the Upper New Benin axis of the state capital over the ownership of an expanse of land measuring about 265.511 hectares.
Alltimepost.com investigation revealed that upon assumption of office as Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Lilian Salami immediately began an audit of all property said to belong to UNIBEN.
According to sources, the land in dispute was given to the University authority in 1971 by Samuel Ogbemudia’s military administration of the defunct Midwestern State.
One of the communities, known as Aduwawa did not accept the terms of the ownership of the said land because members of the community were not consulted before the then military authority ceded the land to UNIBEN, nor was there an alternative given to the villages as compensation.
They therefore sought relief from a Benin High Court, presided over by Justice Edokpayi and got judgement against UNIBEN on February 12, 2002. Justice Edokpayi had declared that the takeover of communal lands by the military governor in 1971 was unconstitutional.
According to the Vanguard report of September 11, 2003, UNIBEN’s counsel, Mr. Solomon Asemota in a statement, had stated that the Court of Appeal in Benin City in May, stayed the judgement made by the Benin High Court.
Alltimepost.com investigations have revealed that over the years, UNIBEN has opted for a conciliatory disposition over the land in dispute. Former VC’s were said to have sought the input of traditional institutions which advised UNIBEN to seek an amicable resolution of the dispute with the communities involved.
New developments however indicate that curent UNIBEN administration, under Prof Lilian Salami, is unwilling to take to that counsel. Last week, Uteh residents woke up to the sight of fearsome looking soldiers in Hilux vans.
Residents who spoke with Alltimepost.com said the soldiers were like paratroopers, with unmarked vehicles and no name tags. They were allegedly accompanied by UNIBEN security personnel. After they arrived Uteh community, they proceeded to mark all residential buildings, schools, hospitals and hotels, including any under construction.
Residents told Alltimepost.com that the markings made in red paint indicate that their houses and homes have been earmarked for demolition so that UNIBEN can take immediate possession of the disputed land.
“This is my land, and I bought it legitimately from the community. I will not vacate it, and if UNIBEN wants to demolish my house, they better kill me first,” an Uteh resident unwilling to reveal his name told Alltimepost.com.
Most Uteh residents who spoke with Alltimepost.com were nervous. A retired soldier whose house is almost completed in the community, and who spoke through his son said that UNIBEN “is misplacing its priority.”
“Let the VC focus on improving on what is already on ground in the school instead of allowing politicians try to use her to drive us from our homes. Marking our homes will not put fear in us. UNIBEN can negotiate with the community and reach an amicable settlement over the land.”
A UNIBEN press release dated July 10, 2020 and signed by Benedicta Ehanire, Public Relations Officer, titled TERFUND COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF 28-EXECUTIVE-ROOM INTERNATIONAL HOSTEL AT UNIBEN, said that UNIBEN has already commenced the construction of a 28-executive-room international hostel.
According to the release, the VC personally supervised the ‘ground-breaking ceremony’ to mark ‘the first of many major projects to be executed during her tenure,’ and expected to be completed within 42 weeks.
When Alltimepost.com got in touch with Dr. Benedicta Ehanire over this matter, she was emphatic that the land belongs to UNIBEN. “Those people have no business erecting structures on that land,” she said.
As matters stand, a collision is imminent between UNIBEN and the communities. How the stand-off would be resolved remains to be seen.
Etemiku is Alltimepost.com Special correspondent and Editor-in-Chief of Bob MajiriOghene Communications Benin City. majirioghene@protonmail.com
