Plans by the Kwara State Polytechnic to fence its estimated 21-kilometre land area have drawn objections from host communities, who say unresolved compensation and ongoing court cases could hinder the project.
The communities, according to a statement by Wole Adedeji, contend that they were never compensated for land on which the institution was established more than 50 years ago. They also allege that a list recently produced by the Polytechnic to show past compensation lacked verifiable names, addresses, community identities and payment records.
Court records cited by the communities show that the Polytechnic filed Suit No. KWS/95/05 in 2005 over the land dispute, but the case was struck out on April 5, 2016, by Justice M. Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court for lack of diligent prosecution.
In the ruling made available to this reporter, Justice Akanbi stated: “I hereby strike out this case. If the claimant is serious about diligent prosecution of his case, he can come back and relist his case.” The Polytechnic has not relisted the suit since the ruling.
The communities further disclosed that a separate case, Suit No. KWS/238/2024, is currently before an Ilorin High Court, arguing that the land issue remains sub judice and should not be acted upon administratively pending its determination.
The latest suit was filed by residents of Gatta Community, led by their Magaji, Abdulkareem Akanji, and 10 others, following alleged attempts by the Polytechnic to clear portions of the land, initially described as for farming activities and later as a commercial farm.
The claimants joined the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other individuals in the suit, alleging the use of force during the land clearing exercise and seeking about ₦300 million in general damages, alongside a separate criminal complaint over the alleged destruction of economic trees valued at about ₦100 million.
Speaking on the development, counsel to the communities, Barrister Deji Gbadeyan, said the fencing plan raised legal questions given the unresolved suits, while the Rector, Dr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, confirmed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the fencing project but cautioned that no structures should be demolished and no actions taken that could threaten lives or public safety.
