By Alfaki Nasidi
Lokoja Forum Of Patriots has condemned in strong terms the Judgement of Federal High Court of Nigeria ceding Lokoja , Ajaokuta and Koton karfe Federal constituencies to the Igala Kingdom.
This was contained in a communique read by the chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Baba’ango Idris at the end of it meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday
He pointed out that the judgement has tempered with rights of the original owners and custodians of the affected areas and called on the Federal Government to appeal the judgment for the interest of peace and unity in Kogi state and the country at large.
Baba’ango said the forum is in support of all the decisions reached led by Hon. Shaba Ibrahim,member representing Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency and other stakeholders from the affected areas.
The communique read:
“COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUE BY LOKOJA FORUM OF PATRIOTS AFTER AN EMERGENCY MEETING HELD AY ITS SECRETARIAT ON 6TJ JUNE,2020.
Following the judgment of the federal High Court of Nigeria setting Lokoja, ceding Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Kogi Local Government areas to Igala Kingdom, Lokoja Forum of Patriots held an emergency meeting at it secretariat in Lokoja on 6th of June 2020 and issued the following communique :
(1) That,forum without prejudice condemn in strong term the judgment of the Federal high court of Nigeria sitting in Lokoja in all its entirety
(2) That the Forum observe that the judgment has tempered with the rights of the original owners and custodians of the affected Areas as contained in the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended) and the land use Act of 1998.
(3) That,the forum without prejudice observed that the federal high court sitting in Lokoja lacks the jurisdiction to entertain and pass judgment over land matters.
(4) That,this action at this century is not only tempering on the rights of the people but trying to make them to start re- writing a new history for their ancestors,themselves and their generations yet unborn.
(5) That,Forum appreciates the quick reaction of His Excellency,Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello ,the Governor of Kogi state in the matter where upon he warmed against people wanting to divide the state against ethnic line, saying that, ” There’s no room for imperialism in the 20th century “
(6) That,the forum calls of the Federal Government without further delay to immediately appeal the judgment.
(7) That,Forum is in strong support of all decisions and agreements reached in the press conference organized by some stakeholders from the three affected Local Government Areas ,honourably presided over by Hon. Shaba Ibrahim, member representing Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency.
(8) Finally, Members of Lokoja Forum of Patriots call for calm from the the indigenes of the affected local government areas to allow all legal processes be followed so as to get to the logical conclusion of this matter.” the communique concluded.
PHOTOS;
