Benue-born businessman, Dr. Peter Adejoh on Wednesday told a Benue State High Court in Makurdi that he has never acquired land in his personal name in Mbachume community of Bar council ward of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Testifying before Justice Tertsea Kume in suit No:MHC/179/23, Dr. Adejoh, while under cross examination from counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr. Mbafan Ekpendu, told the court that he doesn’t own any land in the said community in his personal capacity.
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“I do not personally own any land in Mbachume community. It is a housing estate project for public use between a company I represent (BMC Homes Limited) and the Benue State Government. Personally, as Peter Adejoh, I do not own any land in Mbachume.” He stated.
Dr Adejoh told the court that he was not aware of the destruction of economic trees, farms, and properties on the disputed land as alleged by the plaintiffs.
He denied ever conspiring with the Benue State Government, Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Benue State, to harass or arrest anyone on the disputed land.
The defendant also denied the allegation that the Benue State Government sold the land to him in his personal capacity and he never held any meeting with the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals in that regard.
The business tycoon denied ever personally engaging anyone to use bulldozers or other heavy equipments to destroy or grade the farm land, crops and economic trees of the plaintiffs.
Read: Adejoh Tells Court He Owns No Land in Mbachume community
In their suit, Messrs Abraham Uwua, Terlumun Tyav, Terwase Zeku, suing for themselves and on behalf of Tse-Agbuu, Utur Community and Pastor Cyprian Terwase, suing on behalf of himself and Ikyov/Mbachume, Utur Community, Bar council ward of Makurdi Local government area alleged that, the Benue State Government wants to compulsorily acquire their ancestral land and sell to a developer without payment of any form of compensation, among others.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their agents, privies, associates or anyone acting by or through them from compulsorily taking over the communal land lying and situate at Tse Agbuu, Mbachugh, Utur Community and Ikyov/Mbachugh, Utuurn Community, all of Bar council ward of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, for any purpose order than overriding public interest, among others.
The matter has been adjourned to November 28,2024, for the Benue State Government to open its defense.
