The Ogun State House of Assembly has intervened in the lingering land dispute involving Helici Bio Trade Limited, the Adekerunmi Adesada Family of Igbooye and the Orijeru of Igbooye, Oba Abdulrasaq Akanni Musa, urging all parties to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
The intervention followed a petition alleging disruption and interference in the company’s possession and development activities on a parcel of land located at Olowokojebi, Igbooye, in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
The Assembly Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions, led by Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, convened a meeting with representatives of the company, members of the host community and traditional leaders at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to address issues surrounding the disputed property.
Following deliberations, the committee established that the land in question formed part of government-acquired land and recommended that Helici Bio Trade Limited continue with the ratification process already initiated with the state government to regularise its interest in the property.
The committee also directed the law firm of Aluko and Oyebode, solicitors to the company, to apologise to the Orijeru of Igbooye over words considered derogatory in portions of the petition submitted to the Assembly.
Addressing the parties, the committee advised the company to engage the monarch and other stakeholders in the community to resolve grievances amicably.
According to the lawmakers, no investor stands to benefit from operating in an atmosphere of conflict with the host community.
The committee further urged the monarch and members of the community to refrain from actions capable of disrupting the company’s ongoing development activities, stressing the need for mutual understanding and cooperation.
The lawmakers also recommended that the land dispute currently before a court in Ijebu-Ode involving traditional landowners and families claiming ownership of the area should be pursued to its logical conclusion.
They noted that the outcome of the case would assist the state government in determining the rightful beneficiaries of compensation arising from the acquisition.
The committee thereafter called on both Helici Bio Trade Limited and the host community to maintain peace and work together towards attracting development and investment opportunities capable of enhancing the socio-economic growth of the area.
