…..You’re misleading the Public —College, Lawyers accuse Ogunmokun Family.
The land dispute between Ogunmokun Family of Akure and the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), Ondo State, is still pending and yet to be adjudicated on by the Supreme Court contrary to a claim by the family.
The College Provost, Dr Albert Fadiyimu described as untrue and misleading the claim by the Ogunmokun Family that the Supreme Court has issued a quit notice to the Federal Government, the school, and several businesses occupying the disputed parcel of land within the college’s campus.
Fadiyimu stated this while addressing a press conference in Akure on Monday alongside the School’s members of the legal team, SABO SAMAILA, Chief State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as well as OLUFISAYO FAGBEMI who is a Legal Representative of the College (from Dan Ola Dan Chambers).
The Ogunmokun family of Akure had a few weeks ago claimed ownership of the disputed land after a purported verdict of the apex court with the directive that filling stations, several shops, and Benin Motor Park along the Akure/Owo/Ilesha Road on the disputed parcel of land should vacate.
However speaking with newsmen, Fadiyimu advised the public to disregard the claim of the family, noting that contrary to the misinformation being peddled, the land dispute is far from being concluded.
Fadiyimu explained that the earlier appeal by the college was struck out on technical grounds and not because the Supreme Court examined the substance of the matter or resolved the issues raised in the family’s appeal, stating that the striking out merely means that, due to a procedural defect, the appeal could not proceed at that time, but the Apex Court had readmitted the appeal for adjudication.
The College boss enjoined members of the public against transacting over the disputed land pending the final resolution of the matter by the apex court, warning that any claim of ownership or possession by the opposing party is false and unlawful.
He said, “Although the earlier appeal filed at the Supreme Court was struck out on procedural grounds, our legal team has since filed a formal application for leave to appeal, accompanied by the Proposed Notice of Appeal.
“The application is valid, competent, and has been duly entered and is awaiting hearing. We are confident that justice will ultimately be served through the due process of the law.
“The Supreme Court is now with the matter, and no party has the lawful authority or moral justification to take unilateral actions or make provocative statements capable of misleading the public and destabilising peace.
“We are also compelled to correct a fundamental misconception, which the opposing party is deliberately exploiting, about the misunderstanding of the legal implications of a matter being struck out by the Supreme Court.
“A final judgement of the Supreme Court is one that conclusively determines the rights of the parties after hearing arguments from both sides, leading to a considered decision on the merits of the case. In such a situation, the matter is completely decided, and there is nothing more left for the court to entertain on the issues in dispute. It is not a decision on the merit or a declaration of victory for either party.”
The lawyers in their submissions, corroborated what the Provost said and urged all parties to maintain the peace and allow the Apex Court to take final decision on the suit.
