By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin
Committee on the Review of the Kwara state Government Properties from 1999 to 2019 on Sunday said more properties and houses will soon be revoked and others demolished based on its recommendations to the state government.

The committee added that the late Dr Olusola Saraki’s house is one of those properties (Ile Arugbo) illegally acquired and recommended to the state government for acquisition.
The committee said it submitted its report in July last year.

The committee chair Senator Suleiman Ajadi said his committee also recommended to government to acquire some properties and pay compensation to their owners where required.

He described as false the claims that the government demolished a building belonging to the late politician Senator Olusola Saraki.

The committee wondered how a place bordering a hospital could be used for political meetings where noise and commotion were rife.

Senator Ajadi said that the controversy over the reclamation of the land bordering the civil service clinic.

He added that the furore was needless because the the state government has only recovered a property that originally belonged to it but was unlawfully diverted for private use.

Flanked by some members of the committee, Ajadi told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital.

He added that many of the publications on the land were either erroneous or mischievous as there are no proofs anywhere that the land ever belongs to Asa Investment Limited.

Said he: “The issue of the land in question came under the terms of reference of this committee which considered several other properties of government and submitted its recommendations in July 2019.

“As was the case with all the properties looked into by the committee, the committee’s recommendations were based on strictly available records from the archives of government.

And based on the available records, the Committee did not see proof of any payments nor an approved Right of Occupancy even though there was a letter of allocation in principle.

“In reaching its conclusions, the Committee noted foundation work with erected columns at varying areas of the larger segment of the land.
The committee also noted that the land in question was also a part of a larger parcel of land, part of which has been developed into the Civil Service Clinic and Secretariat complex now housing the State Ministry of Finance, among others.

“Finally, based on the existing convention that land acquired by Government in overriding public interest cannot be converted to private use, unless under extraneous circumstances which requires the express approval of the Governor of the State, the Committee did not see a case made for this land and neither was there any approval from the Governor of the state to convert it to private use.

In view of the above reasons, therefore, the committee was compelled to recommend that the land be repossessed and put to the original use it was meant for.

He added: “let me draw the attention of Nigerians to the use of “ile arugbo” to describe the land in question. Usage of that phrase leads to many people erroneously thinking of a structured building where old people were catered for.

This is not so. What was on the ground up until the physical reclamation by the government was a garage-like structure (a shed) used by the older Saraki to keep people waiting to see him or to hold political meetings.

“In addition, it is important to discuss the issue of ownership which should be central to the whole debate. With emphasis, from all records available, there is no “Right of Occupancy” or “Certificate of Occupancy” available to the private firm to which the land was allocated in principle.

There also no receipt of payments for the land. Where, therefore, is the right to a claim to this land?
“Another issue of note is the absurdity of putting a political gathering place beside a (medical) clinic. An hospital is supposed to be a serene environment for medical welfare of patients; it is definitely not a political war centre where people make the loudest noise, fight, or find themselves enmeshed in commotion and fatal stampede etc which was the lot of that place.

“I, therefore, on behalf of all of my committee members, some of whom are present here today, believe it was necessary and prudent to make this public clarification on an issue that has generated needless controversy.”

Ajibade123:
it not for the love of the people everything na politics we know

anyway do you wish to study or work in Australia,
Canada or US check my signature for more info

Erediauwa:
This same issue that has generated needless
controversy because you want to pitch tent with the chief oppressor and intimidating officer of the state will still be the same issue that will get you booted out of office......



Sheybi wen Eye blind mirror go rest..... Just relax, it will get to your turn.

shugabasbn:
The way Bukola sold off state properties to his men, it would have bn a graveous mistake if AA didn't acquired them back. From Agric land to Amusement pack, Kwara football academy, Shonga, Airport land n many more.
Those that benefitted from those lands and properties will surely fight back with noise on media so the Governor should not bothered about them

donprinyo:

See de kind question u de ask. Who no want live dis shit hole of a country?

VirginSearcher:
Buhari's handwork, I wished US tested the drone on his head not Soleimani

jp130:
Learn to manage a football team while you earn gradually,

Click my signature n add me in whatsapp to put u tru

shugabasbn:
The way Bukola sold off state properties to his men, it would have bn a graveous mistake if AA didn't acquired them back. From Agric land to Amusement pack, Kwara football academy, Shonga, Airport land n many more.
Those that benefitted from those lands and properties will surely fight back with noise on media so the Governor should not bothered about them

Glare247:

U talk trash,we in d state can testify tons fact dat d said land was acquired illegally ,y are most of u guys outside kwara think with unaa anus

Glare247:

U only mention few properties my friend ,what of d kwara state challet sold in g.r.a,have u forgotten d kwara ADP land sold behind NTA? Or have u forgotten d kwara state water cooperation quarters sold of to his fellow cronies ,or have u forgotten d kara land sold in zango,oloriburuku lomoo bukola yeen,he is a cancer ,it will take years for kwara to get back to shape

Riversides2003:
its all politics we know that.

Kekereekun123:
Land still plenty for ilorin na

lomprico:
this man is acting foolish. Buhari is using him to fight Saraki and he is foolishong doing it. one day both Buhari and him will step down. does he think the sarakis will forgive him?
he better apply wisdom. Saraki men bad o!

valarmorghulis:

Bros, how is buhari using him, saraki family illegally acquired that land about 20yrs ago, the land belongs to kwara people not kastina, so this has nothing to do with Buhari