The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), in Ondo State, has debunked claims by the Ogunmokun family that the Supreme Court has ruled in their favour and ordered occupants, including business owners, to vacate a disputed parcel of land within the college premises.
The denial followed reports alleging that the apex court had declared a portion of land currently housing FECA, shops, and motor parks as belonging to the Ogunmokun family.
While the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld a High Court judgment granting ownership of the land to the Ogunmokun family, FECA authorities insisted that the legal battle is far from over.
Addressing journalists in Akure, the Provost of FECA, Dr. Albert Fadiyimu, dismissed the circulating reports as false and misleading.
He clarified that the case is currently before the Supreme Court and no final verdict has been issued.
“We wish to place on record that contrary to the misinformation being peddled by the opposing party, the land dispute is far from being concluded. The matter is presently before the Supreme Court,” Fadiyimu said.
He explained that although an earlier appeal was struck out, it was on procedural grounds and not based on the merit of the case. A fresh application for leave to appeal, along with a proposed notice of appeal, has since been filed and is awaiting a hearing at the apex court.
“Let it be abundantly clear: the Supreme Court is now seized of the matter, and no party has the lawful authority or moral justification to take unilateral actions or make provocative statements capable of misleading the public and destabilising peace,” he warned.
Dr. Fadiyimu cautioned members of the public against buying, leasing, or engaging in any form of transaction on the disputed land until the Supreme Court delivers a final ruling.
“We are watching and will not hesitate to initiate contempt proceedings or take other lawful measures to protect our rights and the sanctity of the judicial process,” he added.
Source; The Nation News
