March 21, (THEWILL) – A Konshisha based farmer, Mr Tyoumbur Shoja, has dragged former senator representing Benue North-East, Engr Barnabas Gemade, to a High Court, Makurdi division, claiming the sum of N500 million as damages for allegedly taking over his land.
He further alleged that Gemade by that act is not only depriving him of the said land, but also destroying over 50 orange stands and cassava farm.
In a suit:MHC/389/19, Mr Shoja, who is of Mbajor kindred of Iwarev district in Konshisha local government area of Benue state, is claiming that the said land is the ancestral and inhabited by their forefathers, late Sev Atsafa.
The plaintiff through his Lawyer O.N. Ayia, told the court that his client observed a trespass on the land in 2012 with building materials and destruction of farm crops and discovered it was Engr Gemade that was allegedly electing structures.
“Elders and members of the family met and decided that the defendant should cease construction, but to no avail as the trespass extended by 400 feet and in 2017, extended the fence by 270 feet, destroying more farmland.”
The plaintiff is therefore, praying the court to restrain the defendant, his agents, representatives, successors, privies and managers by way of perpetual injunction from entering the land.
Counsel to the defendant, I.A. Utulu, informed the court that he has filed a motion to admit more witnesses.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Theresa Igoche, adjourned the case to 31st March, 2022 for mention.
