Court urged to void Dangote’s mining field acquisition

Some members of the Imiefo Kindred of Kalabar Community in Edo State have urged a high court in the state to void the acquisition of Ogbagu and Afeyemi lands by Dangote Cement Plc for mining.

The Incorporated Trustees of Imiefo Kindred Union, in the suit filed through the firm of Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) and Partners, told the court that they are the rightful owners of the lands but that some alleged impostors sold the lands to Dangote.

Apart from Dangote, others in the suit are: Xath Resources Limited, it’s Managing Director, James Abache; Alhaji Moshood O. Aliu (sued for himself and on behalf of the Ukhomunyio Council of Chiefs, Okpella, Edo State) and the Incorporated Trustees of Ukhomunyio Community Development Union as 2nd to 5th defendants.

In a motion ex-parte filed alongside the suit, the claimants prayed the court for an order restraining Dangote and other defendants from taking any further steps on the lands pending the determination of the substantive suit.

They said the restraining order was of urgent importance because, unless restrained by the court, Dangote has concluded plans to commence operations forthwith as its machines and other equipment have allegedly been moved to the disputed lands.

The claimants however, said they were not opposed to Dangote acquiring their lands, but that obtaining their consent and paying necessary compensations to the owners, who used the lands for farming and other purposes from which they earn their living, should be done.

The claimants prayed court for a the declaration that the 2nd to 5th defendants, not being members of the claimants’ family, have no power or right to allocate or grant mining consent to the 1st defendant or any other person/agency to carry out mining activities on the lands in question.

They equally want the court to perpetually restrain the defendants or their agents from erecting any structure, trespassing or carrying out any activity on the lands.