7 Saraki family, Kwara gov’t to settle out of court on Ile Arugbo

The family of the late Second Republic senate leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki and the Kwara State government in line with the advice of a state High Court, have agreed to an out-of-court-settlement on the disputed land on which Ile Arugbo was built at the GRA, Ilorin.

The state High Court, sitting in Ilorin, had on January 15, 2020 advised parties in the suit to in the interest of peace, explore an out of court settlement over the disputed land.

The state government’s action is, however, in response to an earlier letter from the Sarakis’ lawyers seeking an amicable out-courtsettlement.

Agents of the state government had on January 2 this year demolished some property at Ile Arugbo over alleged irregularities in the allocation of the land housing the structures.

This led to a litigation between Asa Investments Limited, (a company owned by the late Saraki) and the state government.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, counsel to Asa Investments Limited, AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, informed the court that his clients had received a letter from the state Ministry of Justice inviting them to a meeting slated for January 27, 2020.

“On January 15, your Lordship conscientiously advised parties to explore settlement of the case out of court in the interest of peace in this state of harmony. We want to explore the opportunity this court has afforded. We therefore, submit that an adjournment is imminent and inevitable,” he said.

Counsel to the state government, who is also the Director, Civil Litigation, Ministry of Justice, A.M Bello confirmed the receipt of a letter from the claimant’s counsel seeking amicable resolution of the case out of court. He aligned with the claimant’s counsel application for adjournment.

In his ruling, Justice Abiodun Adebara urged the parties to resolve the case amicably before the next adjourned date of March 2.