STAKEHOLDERS from Lokoja, Kogi and Ajaokuta federal constituency have said that the federal court judgement on Ajaoukta, Lokoja and Koton-Karfe is a modern day slavery.
Similarly, Ebira People’s Association, (EPA) has appealed to the people of Kogi Central to remain calm over the federal court Judgement on Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Kogi local government councils.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday in behalf of the stakeholders, a member representing Lokoja, Kogi federal constituency, Hon. Shaba Ibrahim said they have commenced the process of redress to set aside the said judgement on Appeal that has the trappings of modern day slavery and consequently unacceptable to all lovers of freedom.
According to him, the cause of action in this case having arisen since 1940, is status barred, stale and thus rendering the action unmaintainable altogether.
Hon. Ibrahim opined that the claim before the court as gleaned from the processes filed was in effect one of declaration of title to land.
“It is our humble position and an elementary principle of law that the Federal High Court, sitting in Lokoja lacks the jurisdiction over land matters or action connected therewith” he said.
He noted that the said action was commenced, maintained and prosecuted in complete disregard to extent laws particularly the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended , the Land Use Act 1978 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights promulgated to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent.
“The claimants case before the court was in respect of land the boundaries of which were vague and unascertainable thus rendering the action incurable bad
“The action by the claimant and the relief’s sought failed to take cognisance of the cordiality of relationship between the component ethnic units of Kogi state and is capable of causing a breach of the peace,” he said.
He therefore appealed for calm as he commended the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for taken proactive action to avoid crisis in the state.
Also speaking, Ebira People’s Association, (EPA) has appealed to the people of Kogi Central to.remain calm over the federal court Judgement on Ajaokuta, Lokoja and Kogi local government councils.
The President General of EPA, Dr. AbdulRahaman Adeiza in a press statement issued on Saturday which copy was made available to newsmen in Lokoja, enjoyed the people to remain calm and go about their normal duties without any rancour and not get provoked by the June 2 midnight judgement of the Federal High Court, Lokoja Division.
His words, “The court judgement is an attempted coup whose outcome gave the plotters only false and evaporative satisfaction. The last is definitely yet to be heard on this controversial litigation. There are more superior courts in the land that need to hear the matter from those who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Judgement.
“Ebira is known to have its full fledged competent institutions to handle its affairs in all situations.
We therefore appeal for calm as our traditional institutions and other competent and relevant stakeholders shall collaborate to take the necessary steps until the needed justice is obtained.
“No one should take the laws in to their hands to breach the peace of the land as there is a more potent alternative to getting what rightly belongs to us. In particular, we urge our teeming youths to cease all social media fireworks that could jeopadise our position as the true owners of the lands in dispute.
“Our land is a land of blessings and the people therein must exhibit characters that emit peace and resolve all issues peacefully.By this plea from EPA, we trust in you all ANEBIRA to allow the best option to be our choice in the circumstance. In God we trust and in Him we have found our chequered history as one of the few I entities in the world.
