Court stops ‘fraudulent’ warrant of possession of land slammed on Ondo community

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has thrown out the ‘fraudulently’ order of possession obtained by some people to disposed residents of Arijodi/Ologunmolaare community in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Recall that palpable fear had gripped residents of the community as some people, claiming to be court officials led by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), sealed off their houses with children and other occupants in February.

The court officials who were accompanied by NSCDC said they were acting on the order of the court that asked them to take possession of the houses.

But while delivering his judgement on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola ruled that, “I have read all the affidavits in support of each of the motions and the counter-affidavits thereto. I have also gone through the judgement of the court delivered by my leaned brother, Aderemi Adegoroye on 3rd December, 2021, upon which the writ of possession sought to be set aside was issued.

“From the judgement, it is clear that the reliefs granted were all declaratory and no relief for possession of land was granted. I therefore need not dissipate energy on this ruling because throughout the length and breadth of the judgement, there is no where an order of possession of land was granted to the claimants.

“In the light of the foregoing and having held that no order for possession was granted by the judgement, the warrant of possession issued by the court on 19th January, 2022 was erroneously issued and liable to be set aside. It is hereby set aside.”

According to Justice Odusola, N50,000 is awarded in favour of each of the applicants.