Nigerian Army Affirms Stance On Disputed Land In Osogbo, Osun State
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Nigerian Army has urged the public to discountenance the misinformation being circulated in the media regarding a controversial land tussle between the Nigerian Army and 65 family compounds in Oshogbo, Osun State to prevent being misled and taken advantage of, by persons and groups with ulterior and sinister motives.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, it becomes imperative to clarify that the land in question has been a subject of agitation by the people of Oshogbo, long before the appointment of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, as the COAS, on 19 June 2023 especially given the enormity of the claims as presented by the claimants in the media and its consequential impact on the corporate image of the Nigerian Army and the office of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
He clarified that the evidence in the agitators’ claim of possession of a High Court Judgement obtained sometime in January 2023, while Gen Taoreed Lagbaja was still the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna, is an attempt to wrongly portray the person and Office of the Chief of Army Staff as the protagonist behind the land tussle in the media and the eyes of the public,
Major General Nwachukwu raised attention to the said High Court Judgment was presented as a current issue being implemented or driven by the COAS, which he said, is simply a clear act of mischief that would serve no useful mediatory purpose, but only to denigrate the hard-earned excellent reputation and integrity of a detribalized, selfless and patriotic Chief of Army Staff.
He noted that as an institution committed to upholding the Rule of Law and respect for the rights of the citizenry, the Nigerian Army will unabatedly continue to be a law abiding institution and at all times, pursue the fulfilment of its obligations under the law.
This he says, is why the Nigerian Army has taken cognisance of the judgment of the High Court of Justice of Osun State in the case of Chief Amodu Akanbi Suleiman Folorunsho and Others versus Attorney General of the Federation and Others, but has initiated an appeal against the decision of the lower court at the Court of Appeal Akure.
The Army spokesperson stressed that it is trite that the filing of an appeal against a court decision operates as a stay of execution of that court decision hence, it is only advisable that all parties maintain the status quo until the resolution of the appeal.
He noted that the Nigerian Army will continue to work in collaboration with relevant authorities to address any legitimate concern and ensure that justice prevails.
According to him, the Nigerian Army appreciates the apt and timely intervention by members of the House of Representatives and the Osun State House of Assembly in the matter, just as he solicited the understanding and support of other stakeholders and the public, as they strive to maintain peace and security in the country.