Ilorin South boss, 2 others dragged to court over illegal possession of land, intimidation 

By Kayode Adeoti

The Ilorin South Local Government Chairperson, Alhaja Funmilayo Salau has been dragged to court by the family of Daudu Amule Omo Ile Egba Shitta Alimi over illegal possession of their family customary land piece of land.
The Direct Complaint was filed by Ore-Ofe Chambers on behalf of the representative of the family; Alhaji Bolaji and Alhaji Yakub Olateju.
Also joined alongside Salau in the suit which was signed by S.O Jimoh and Z.O Alhassan were the council Land Officer, Alhaji Moshood Issa and the Ilorin South Local Government.
Complaints of Criminal Intimidation, Criminal trespass and mischief contrary to sections 397,327, and 348 of the Penal Code were levelled against them.
The family, according to the complaints however alleged that between 14th and 18th March, 2017, the trio invaded their vast parcel of land situated at Oko-Olowo – Bode Saadu Express Road with caterpillars to destroy the economic tress planted on the land.
Some of the farmers whose farm products were allegedly destroyed include; Alhaji Sheu Okolo, Baba Haraa, Alhaji Abiowa, Alfa Oba, Joseph Sihga, Stephen Jimba, and Sunday Isiaka Alao.
Mango trees, locust bean trees, cash crops such as cassava, maize as well as survey beacon and pillars erected on the land were said to have been cleared-off following the alleged invasion of the council members.
It was also revealed that the council boss, deployed thugs, who were said to have used dangerous weapons to drive away those challenging her authority over the land in contention.
“The said Alhaja Salau and Moshood Issa have since continued their acts of trespass and mischief on our clients’ aforesaid land while repeatedly threatening to deal with our clients and members of their family. Members of our clients’ family have had to resort to this court in order to avoid breakdown of law and order being provoked by the acts of the aforesaid persons.
The chairperson, in a text message forwarded to our reporter over the issue last night, stressed the family whose land were allegedly seized have approached court for redress.
She expressed satisfaction over the action maintaining that the court will give the right judgement over the allegation.
“…They have taken us to court, the matter is in court which is what we want…,” she said.
The matter has however been assigned to Magistrate Esther Kikelomo Abu and it will be coming up on 22nd March, 2018