Cargo Airport: Families protest illegal acquisition of farm land, demand payment of compensation from Gov Abiodun

Owners of expanse of farmland for the proposed Agro Cargo Airport at Iperu have protested the illegal acquisition of their farmland by the government of Ogun State.

The expanse of land measuring over 336.2 acres of land is said to be owned by about six families namely; the Orubo, Iragbon, Isapetu, Isalu, Aroko, Ayeren among others.

The families who protested over this unbecoming attitude of the state government marched to the Iperu country's home of Gov Dapo Abiodun to register their displeasure. 

They were armed with placards bearing various messages such as "Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning, respect the court judgement'' ''We say no to landgrabbing in Iperu" "Gov Abiodun, please respect court judgement" "Pay compensation to Orubo family" among others

Speaking with journalists during the protest, Alhaji Waidi Alaka, head of Orubo family declared that the said farm land belong to his family and that either now or in the recent past, no government has issued the family with notice of revocation of their deemed statutory/customary right of occupancy on any part of the land.

Alhaji Alaka said that 23.90 acres of the land had also been sold to two companies namely; Beauty Fair Laboratories Nigeria Limited and Sophisticat Nigeria Limited with their Certificate of Occupancy signed by former Gov Segun Osoba and dated August 4, 2000 while another 33.473 acres was also sold to Skin Beauty Limited, Lagos.

He explained that the State High Court in a judgement given by Justice N I Saula and dated October 10, 2011 also declared that there had been no glaring evidence of government ever acquiring the said farmland.

Alhaji Alaka disclosed that it was therefore wrong and illegal for the state government or any of its official to have entered the said farm land including the one sold to the three companies with C of O saying that this action only amounted to contempt of court.

Lending credence to the position of the families, Ven Yinka Ogunmekan said while the families are happy with the Cargo Airport project as it will improve the economic fortunes of the state and that of Iperu community in particular, the state government should follow the due process and ensure that the owners of the land are adequately compensated.

The Secretary of Orubo family, Mr Taiwo Shobamowo also pleaded with Gov Dapo Abiodun to come to their aid and ensure that all the families who own the land are compensated as that is where majority of the family members still get their daily bread.