Abeokuta – The Ogun State House of Assembly has intervened in a lingering land dispute involving Helici Bio Trade Limited, the Adekerunmi Adesada Family of Igbooye, and the Orijeru of Igbooye, Oba Abdulrasaq Akanni Musa, over a parcel of land located at Olowokojebi in Igbooye, Ijebu East Local Government Area.

The intervention was carried out through the House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions, following a petition alleging interference with the company’s possession and development activities on the disputed land.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, held a meeting with representatives of Helici Bio Trade Limited, members of the host community, and traditional leaders at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to address issues surrounding the dispute.

Following deliberations, the committee established that the land in question forms part of a government-acquired area. It consequently advised Helici Bio Trade Limited to continue with the ratification process already initiated with the Ogun State Government to regularise its interest in the property.

The committee also directed Aluko and Oyebode, the solicitors representing Helici Bio Trade Limited, to apologise to the Orijeru of Igbooye over expressions contained in the petition submitted to the Assembly which were considered derogatory.

In its recommendations, the lawmakers urged the company to strengthen engagement with the monarch and other community stakeholders to address outstanding grievances amicably.

“No investor stands to benefit from operating in an atmosphere of conflict with the host community,” the committee noted.

The committee further advised the traditional ruler and members of the community to refrain from actions capable of obstructing the company’s ongoing development activities, stressing the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation.

Additionally, the lawmakers recommended that the land ownership case currently before a court in Ijebu-Ode, involving traditional land-owning families laying claim to the area, should be allowed to run its full course. According to the committee, the outcome of the case would assist the state government in determining the rightful beneficiaries of compensation arising from the land acquisition.

The Assembly committee thereafter called on all parties to embrace dialogue and maintain peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that collaboration between investors and host communities remains essential for attracting development and boosting socio-economic growth in the area.