ABEOKUTA– Human rights activist, and a legal professional have applauded the Nigeria Police for the successful execution of a twenty three year old land judgement, in Ishaga, Owode Yewa area of Ogun state.
Speaking with Blueprint on the development, the Coordinator of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, James Olashina and eminent lawyer Babatunde Shaji, however called on security agencies to ensure court orders are completely protected, emphasizing its importance for reinforcing the rule of law.
The executed possession order is stemmed from a protracted legal saga that affirmed Mukaila Oguntade, as the rightful owner of a large expanse of land covering the Ishaga community in Owode.
The judgment, delivered by Justice O. Onafowokan of the Ogun State High Court in 2011 with (Suit No. HCL/18/02), had initially affirmed Mukaila Oguntade’s father, Bashiru Oguntade, as the rightful owner of the disputed land.
The initial judgment was subsequently contested at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, where it was again decided in favor of the Oguntade family. However, despite the Appeal Court judgment, the judgment creditors were reportedly prevented from taking possession of their property.
Olashina recounted the lengthy delays, noting, “In the past, some people had prevented the earlier Possession Taken Order from the competent court and the police refused to act and charge them [with] Contempt of the Court.
“They resorted to violence instead of pursuing their case at the Supreme Court. At one point, when a High Court in Ilaro granted a fresh Possession Taken Order, individuals described as “tenants on the land” were reportedly mobilized to challenge it in the same High Court.
“Again, the High Court affirmed Oguntade as the rightful owner and [issued] a fresh Possession Taken Order, which has now been successfully executed”, Olashina added
He therefore stressed that the police bear the responsibility of protecting the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of judgment creditors.
Barrister Shaji, in his submission stated that, “The latest suit, M/01/2024, involving Alhaji Atobatele and 9 others against Mukaila Oguntade and judicial officials, before Justice A A Shobayo of the Ogun State High Court, appears to have been a final attempt to challenge the earlier judgments that confirmed Oguntade’s ownership, ultimately failing and paving the way for today’s execution.
“Now, after the judgment, the third parties came out to challenge that judgment in the High Court. They were asking for an Order to set aside, which, unfortunately, the court refused. So, based on that, the claimants are now executing,” he said
