•We are dragging state government to court – Jiddah family
Investigation has revealed that ownership of the land bordering the Civil Service Clinic (erstwhile used by the family of late Saraki) in Ilorin which was recently officially revoked by the Kwara state government traditionally belongs to the Jiddah family and acquired by the then state government contrary to a claim by governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq through his Chief Press Secretary that the land was bought to house the civil service clinic, THE INFORMANT247 has reliably gathered.
Report obtained by this medium unveiled that the Jiddah family of Ilorin Emirate were the traditional/customary and bonafide owner of the vast expense of land through inheritance from their forefathers as granted to the family by the 1st Emir of Ilorin, Sheikh AbdulSalam like other notable family in Ilorin Emirate; such as Galadima-Ngeri and the Baloguns, Fulani, Alanamu, Gambari and Ajikobi respectively since about 200 years back.
The family lineage traced to Mallam Muhammed Bello Jiddah, a preacher, who went to Saudi Arabia in search of Islamic knowledge joined Usman Danfodiyo Islamic group in Sokoto and would later move to Ilorin with Sheikh Alimi as his confidant after which he would later be turbaned as 1st “Mogaji” Jiddah family by the 1st Emir of Ilorin and some pieces of land scattered across the city metropolis allocated to his family name.
The family were however issued a letter of confirmation of ownership of the land by the Ilorin Emirate Council on 12th of April, 1997.
The vast expense of land is scattered around the Ilorin township lying and situate at Eruda Quaters, Oniponpo now conlmprises of areas like Challenge Bus-stop/Bookshop, “A” Division Police Station and it’s barracks, spanning to Bishop Smith School and Anglican Church communities, crossing the stream up to Ola Olu Hospital and terminating at Gaa-Akanbi road junction. It shares boundary on this side with Ayipo Family land in upper Gaa-Akanbi. From Ayipo family land at Gaa-Akanbi up to Agbà Dam through Ahmadu Bello way including the present day Government House and the disputed land bordering the Civil Service Clinic, back to Challenge Bookshop/junction all in Ilorin Emirate.
According to a judgement of the Ilorin High Court delivered by Hon. Justice M.O. Adewara (rtd) on 5th of December, 2017, SUIT NO.KWS/283/2011, it affirmed that the expanse of land traditional belong to the Jiddah family.
Also the Principal land officer of the Kwara state bureau of land, Nuhu Yusuf during a trial’s cross examination at the Kwara state High Court of Justice, Ilorin admitted that there was no evidence of payment of indemnity to the customary owner, which is the Jiddah family.
The Jiddah family had the land in possession until the creation of Kwara State in 1967 when part of the land was acquired by the Kwara State Government for overriding public interest.
Consequently, the government after making use of some portion allocated other areas to interested individuals, Institutions, and bodies for the purpose of development.
Investigation further revealed that the government granted right of occupancy to many individuals, Institutions, and bodies like the former governor late Mohammed Lawal, Alhaja Nimota Ibrahim, Saka Isiaku, Majeed Oloriegbe, Bishop Smith College and host of others.
However, while announcing the revocation by the state government, the governor said that the land was originally meant for Government Secretariat and parking space of the Civil Service Clinic but was unlawfully allocated to a private firm Asa Investments Limited without any record of payment to the state government.
Saraki countered this claim insisting that the late Olusola Saraki lawfully acquired the land from the state government like other private bodies.
“The property had been rightfully allocated to my late father under the name of one of his companies, Asa Investment Limited, since the 1980s and contrary to the claim of the Governor, the land was properly allocated and a Right of Occupancy title issued on it,” Saraki said.
Further report revealed that the revoked land which housed the “Ile Arugbo” was also allocated to Asa Investment Limited, belonging to the late Olusola Saraki, like others.
WE ARE DRAGGING THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO COURT – JIDDAH FAMILY
When contacted by THE INFORMANT247, the head of Jiddah family, Alhaji Bodunrin Jiddah disclosed that plans are underway to drag the state government to court over the land.
“We are also going to court over the land. The state government acquired the land from us without any form of compensation. We are still on it,” Jiddah said.
LEGAL VIEW
According to legal experts who spoke with THE INFORMANT247, it is said that the moment a portion of land or particular land is acquired for the overriding public interest, and same objective cannot be met, it is incumbent on the government to revert back that land to the owner.
