Delta State warns against trespassing on government acquired lands

Delta State government has again warned individuals and communities to stop trespassing on government-acquired lands or face legal consequences.

The state commissioner for Lands, Surveys, and Urban Development, Chief Goodnews Emamusi Obiodeh, also warned that communities that are hosts to government acquisitions should always verify properly with the various field offices of the ministry before the development or sale of land in order to avoid being prosecuted for criminal trespass.

The commissioner who gave the warning in Asaba during a meeting with representatives of the Atakiako (Egbedemi) family of Oleh in the Isoko south local government area on Tuesday reminded that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking the law.

He explained that the warning was in consonance with the government’s resolve to recover all its lands that have been encroached.

Obiodeh highlighted that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria vested ownership of all lands, which were acquired by the Governor for the service of the public interest.

He also warned individuals buying and building on state government lands against the demolition of such property, and owners were prosecuted, adding, “The town planning offices will not approve illegal buildings on such lands, and even if approved in error, will be demolished and such encroachers prosecuted.”

“This was recently demonstrated through the demolition of illegal structures on Dennis Osadebay University land in Anwai-Asaba.

“The State Government’s stance aims to maintain respect for the rule of law and orderliness and tackle the menace of land grabbers and unscrupulous persons who hide under the guise of ignorance to sell government lands.”

Prince Andrew Ogbodu, the family Regent and spokesman, said they were unaware of the state government acquisition and appealed to the Commissioner to help them with information on the size of the acquisition as well as a delineation of the boundaries to enable them to identify areas belonging to the government.