By Ola Ajayi

Ibadan – AN Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has reserved ruling on a N16 billion land dispute case involving Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the state Attorney General, and Prince Ganiyu Ladigbolu and 21 others till November 23 this year.

The parties have been in legal tussle over a large expanse of land measuring 404.74 hectares estimated at over N16 billion around the National Horticultural Research Institute,NIHORT, Ibadan.

Ladigbolu and 21 others had instituted the suit against Governor Ajimobi and five others over 404.74 hectares of land for refusing to hand over the land to its owners when the Federal Government which had used part of the land had released the remaining part to them.

Gov Ajimobi

At the last sitting of the court, one of the prosecution witnesses, Adeniyi Bolarinwa told the court that it was Baale Lasogun who is now one the defendants in the case that said he was the representative of the entire family on the 404.74 hectares of land.

Pastor Dada who was being led in evidence by his counsel, Olayinka Abiose told the court that he made three statements to the police on May 2, December 12, 2013 and June 20, 2016 in respect of the case.

He noted that he attached a copy of the letter of attorney given to him by Baale Lasokun on behalf of the family to the statement he made at the police station on May 2, 2013.

He noted that it was based on the letter of attorney given to him by the family that led to his invitation by the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development dated April 20, 2011 on behalf of the family.

He noted that the original copy of the letter was kept by the Ministry of Land housing and Urban development, but it was when a copy of the letter was tendered in court that both counsel of the Governor Ajimobi, Mr. Nuru Abiola and counsel to Chief Eddy Oyewole, Niyi Ajewole argued against tendering the letter as an exhibit.

He argued that the prosecution counsel did not lay proper foundation for the letter and at the same time did not inform them that he was going to tender such a letter as an exhibit.

The trial Judge, Justice Adegboyega Gbolagunte later adjourned the case to November 23, 2016 for ruling.