BREAKING: Court orders Ogbomoso market shut, traders locked out, as it grants possession to property owner

BREAKING: Court orders Ogbomoso market shut, traders locked out, as it grants possession to property owner

Khalid ABRAHAM

Traders and butchers at a part of the Wazobia (Wazo) sub-section of the new Ultra-modern Market Ogbomoso Oyo state were Friday locked out in execution of the judgment of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, on August 26, which was in favour of J.A. Ladeji & Sons (Nig). Ltd., the firm claiming possession of the land.

After obtaining “warrant for possession” the judgment enforcement unit of the Oyo State High Court under the Chief Bailiff stormed the market today with stern-looking security agents to forcefully take possession of the section, thus denying butchers and other categories of traders access to the facility.

“Possession taken by High Court” was conspicuously written in every available space at the gate and premises signifying the the determination to enforce the judgment and sends an unambiguous message to the “illegal possessors.”

The warrant for possession issued in relation to the litigation with Suit No HOG/22/2024 between J.A. Ladeji & Sons (Nig.) Ltd (plaintiff) and Persons Unknown (defendant), states interalia, quoting the judgment delivered on August 26, 2024, “the plaintiff was entitled to possession of the land mentioned in the particulars annexed to the summons in this action, that is to say, the claimant has the right to recover the possession of the parcel of land situate, lying and being along Ilorin road opposite NNPC Petrol Station and at the back of Wazobia market, in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, which covers an area of approximately 1.875 hectares on plan no EBS 7691 embedded in Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 5th February, 1981 and registered as No.34 in Volume 2357 at the Land Registry, Ibadan. And it was ordered that the defendant should give the plaintiff possession of the said land.”

Costs of execution of the warrant for possession order were also awarded against the defendants, the court noting this became imperative because the defendant failed to comply by the judgment.

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In the August 26 judgment, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice K. B. Olawoyin, had said, “Consequently, I find and hold that the Claimant has satisfied the requirements of Order 63 of the Rules of this Court, 2022 and is entitled to Summary Judgement for possession of the land in dispute (i.e. the landed property) in this suit. Accordingly, the Claimant’s claim succeeds and I hereby grant an order in favour of the Claimant against the Defendant for the Claimant to take over possession of the parcel of land situate, lying and being along Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso, Oyo State which covers an area of approximately 1.875 hectares on Plan No. EBS7691 embedded in Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 5th February, 1981 and registered as No. 34 at page 34 in Volume 2357 at the Lands Registry, Ibadan issued in favour of J. A. Ladeji & Sons (Nig) Limited forthwith on the ground that the Claimant is entitled to possession from the each of the occupiers and that each person in occupation is in occupation without the license or consent of the Claimant.”

ogbomosoinsightonline.com recalls that J.A. Ladeji & Sons (Nig) Ltd instituted the case to recover the 1.875 hectare land from the state government which allocated it to butchers through Ogbomoso North local government earlier in the year. However, the state government was never represented in court even as the defendant is put as “Unknown persons.”

Stalls and an abattoir and other structures were erected on the property by the Ogbomoso North local government under the immediate past administration of Hon Kabir Akanji Ayoade. This is as the Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III assisted in provision of some stalls and donated a giant generating set for the use of the market. The market had become a bustling commercial centre, the butchers having been moved in entirety from their former place at Atenda, Oja-Tuntun.
Speaking with newsmen Barrister Kayode Bankole, counsel to the plaintiff, hailed the judgement, enthusing, “This is victory for the judiciary and victory for democracy.”

Barrister Bankole disclosed every effort was made to settle the matter but that the defendants were not forthcoming, declaring that the issuance of “warrant for possession” drove the action taken Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Olusegun Issah Ajao, chairman of Irorun De Butchers Association speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com confirmed the development however disclosing steps were being taken to remedy the situation, “I won’t say more than that for now.”

Also, Ajani Nasirudeen, a meatseller appealed to government to resolve the matter in the interest of their business.

Rev’d Peter Olaleye, Coordinating Assistant on Media and Community Relations to Soun of Ogbomosoland, commenting on the issue appealed for “calm” assuring, “ Kabiyesi is looking into the matter, it will be resolved.”