Ile Arugbo: Great loss for Saraki as he suffers defeat in suit to reclaim land
- The Kwara state government is on the verge of completely claiming the Ile Arugbo land
- This is Bukola Saraki lost a bid to reclaim the landed property on Tuesday, February 2
- During a court hearing in a state high court, Justice Abiodun Adewara ruled that the suit by Saraki lacks diligent prosecution
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Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, February 2, lost out in the suit challenging the demolition of the controversial Ile Arugbo land in Ilorin, giving the victory to the Kwara state government in the legal battle.
The former Senate president's suit was stricken by a state high court in a hearing on Tuesday, Punch reports.
In the ruling, Justice Abiodun Adewara, who presided over the case, said it lacks diligent prosecution.
Following this decision, the court adjourned the suit to Wednesday, March 17, for the hearing of counterclaims.
Source: UGC
Moreover, Justice Adewara said the case was struck out since the appellant, Asa Investment Ltd, was unable to call any witness to support their claim that the property belonged to the firm or the late Olusola Saraki.
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Earlier, Asa Investments Limited, a company owned by the late father of Saraki, had dragged the Kwara state government to court as the row continued over Ile Arugbo.
In a suit filed before the court, the applicants want the court of appeal in Ilorin to order a stay of execution against the ruling of the high court of Kwara state.
The applicants, in a motion dated Friday, September 4, want the judgment of August 6, 2020, delivered by Justice Abiodun Adebara giving the Kwara government the power to destroy Ile Arugbo to be put on hold.
They prayed that the court stops the Kwara government from taking steps on the property pending the motion filed before the appeal court.
In the motion filed by their legal representatives led by Akin Onigbinde (SAN), the applicants averred that “it is in the interest of justice to preserve the subject matter of the suit (Ile Arugbo)."
A part of the motion read.
"They also sought order of the appellate court restraining the respondents- Governor of Kwara State, state House of Assembly, Attorney General of the state, Director-General of the state Bureau of Lands and the Inspector General of Police (IG)-by themselves or through their servants, agents, privies or otherwise howsoever described, from taking any step or further step in recognition or in pursuance of the ruling of the state High Court delivered by Justice Adebara on August 6, in suit number: KWS/463/2019 pending the hearing and determination of the appeal lodged by the applicants against the said ruling,”
Source: Legit.ng
