.Occupiers defend acquisition
A widow, 97-year-old Saadatu Mamade Bello-Belukor, has sought the intervention of President Bola Tinubu; the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, over portions of land she claimed belong to her, but were allegedly acquired without compensation.
The widow, who hails from Kwara State, appealed to them to help her get compensation, adding that efforts she made alongside her son, Ibitola Soneye, to concerned authorities, agencies and companies were fruitless.
The portions, according to her, are located in Ilorin, Kwara State, and in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
She identified herself as the daughter of Alhaji Bello Belukor, one of the past Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin Emirate, whom she said left the land for her as inheritance.
She alleged that portions of the land were acquired by the Kwara State government, federal institutions, individuals, and companies, including Mt Olive Nigeria Limited.
According to her, she did not receive any compensation therefrom.
The widow lamented that she had been subjected to hardship as a result of the acquisition and alleged non-payment of compensation. She said she could barely feed and did not have money for medical care.
Reacting, Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Legal Matters, Sambo Muritala, said other people have substantial evidence of ownership over the lands claimed by Saadatu Belukor.
Muritala said: “I had earlier met the woman before this administration, and I told her that she had nothing reasonable to back up her ownership of almost one-fifth of Ilorin because her late father was a Balogun in Ilorin. The places she is laying claim to are owned by people who have strong evidence to back their ownership.
“As a true Ilorin woman, she should understand the concept of Ilorin emirate enough to say she is coming to claim the land after over a hundred years. I advised her to get a knowledgeable lawyer who will explain that her story is so weak, that no court will have anything…”
Also, Chairman, Mt Olive Nigeria Limited, Julius Adeola Ajibola, said he legally acquired the land where his companies are situated, and duly paid appropriate compensations.
He spoke via a conference call that also involved Soneye.
Ajibola said he had been in possession of the land for about 14 years and wondered why she and her son would suddenly claim that her land was among the properties he owns.
