Federal Polytechnic Offa, a PHCN sub-station and other important property hitherto belonging in Offa communities may be ceded to Erin-Ile community as the Supreme Court ratified a 45-year-old judgment in favour of the latter.
The age-long boundary dispute, which had led to communal clashes and loss of lives between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Kwara State, may be renewed as Erin-Ile community vows to implement the newly confirmed judgement of the Supreme Court.
The latest action of the Erin-Ile community followed the recent judgement of the Supreme Court on December 14, 2018, which affirmed the same court’s decision of December 10, 1973 that the parcel of land that formed the boundary between the two communities belongs to Erin-Ile.
The judgement, if executed, will lead to the takeover of lands on which the multimillion naira Offa Descendants Union Secretariat, Avalon Hotels, buildings and some Federal Government institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic, Offa and PHCN substation are sited.
But Offa Descendants Union has appealed to the Kwara State Government to “call the people of Erin-Ile to order,” alleging that the latter only wants to execute what ODU described as “fake judgement.”
In the suit number SC. 516/2012 between Mr. Abdulganiyu Adeniran, Mr. Abdulateef Aroyehun Lawal (for Adeniyi Apata Family of Offa) vs HRH Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola Olusookun II Elerin of Erin-Ile, five justices of the court affirmed the report of the 1973 administrative judicial panel headed by Justice Daramola.
The lead judgement was read by Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili.
Other justices included Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, Ejembi Eko, Paul Adamu Galumje and Sidi Dauda Bage.
Addressing a Press Conference, the National President of Erin-Ile Progressive Union, Samuel Olu Alabi, said, “We got a Supreme Court judgement December 10th that same
year confirming the boundary of Erin-Ile as far as NEPA office — the present Offa Descendants Union and several other places — as belonging to Erin-Ile.
“But, unlike in 1973 that we did not take steps, this time around, we will take necessary steps in accordance with the judgement. When and how we are going to do it is not yet determined.”
In reaction, the people of Offa called on Kwara State Government to, as a matter of urgency, warn the people of Erin-Ile to desist from “causing unnecessary tension due to the spreading of false claims and reports.”
The warning was contained in a protest letter by Offa Descendants Union, written and signed by its National President, Najim Yaasin, and made available to our correspondent.
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