The legal team of M.A. Okpalefe & Co, representing the Six (6) land owners in Owhrode community, Udu council area of Delta state, who jointly released a large expanse of land to the Micheal and Cecilia Ibru Educational Foundation, has announced the revocation of the land space over alleged breach of agreement.
Announcing the revocation in a notification letter addressed to the Registered Trustees of the foundation, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Warri, the counsel cited displeasure of the land donors to the flagrant abuse of privileges as contained in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the authority of the beneficiary institution as reason.
According to the letter: “Acting on instructions of our clients comprising representatives of six donor families namely; Usihian, Ekpuke, Ogbegor, Ojevwe, Edjejovwo 1 and Ekredafe, in Owhrode community, Udu council area, we announce the revocation of all agreement in the MoU signed with Micheal and Cecilia Ibru Educational Foundation on January 8, 2006, on land concessions”.
“It is our brief that our clients who are the accredited representatives/beneficial owners in possession of all track of land measuring approximately 101 (One hundred and one) hectres, lying being and situate along Udu road, Owhrode in Udu Council of Delta state, took this decision based on the fact that the beneficiary, Michael and Cecilia Ibru Foundation had reneged in keeping its own side of the agreements reached”.
“It is our instruction that on January 8, 2006, our client gave out the aforementioned land to you (Michael and Cecilia Educational Foundation) for the sole aim and purpose of developing a university to be known as Micheal University or any other approved name by the national University Commission on behalf if the propose Micheal and Cecilia Educational Foundation”.
“It was further agreed amongst others that the construction work in the proposed Micheal Ibru University shall take off within three (3) years from the date the said land was given to you (the Foundation) that is to say the university shall be established within ten (10) years from the said date and pursuant to the above a memorandum of understanding was executed to that effect”.
“It is also our brief that the sum of Eight (8) million naira was also paid to our clients by the Foundation as compensation for crops and improvement on the said land”, the lawyer disclosed.
“It is our clients brief that since the year 2006 till date, no single improvement has been made on the said land and construction work is yet to take off as agreed and that is a clear indication that the terms of the MoU entered into between you and our clients in respect of the said land has been repudiated and in the circumstance we have our clients unequivocal instruction to notify you that they shall with immediate effect reclaim the said land.”
“And in pursuant to the foregoing, we hereby put you on notice that the said MoU entered into between you (Cecilia Educational Foundation) and our clients on January 8, 2006, is hereby revoked due to your inability to meet up with the terms contained in the MoU and our clients shall forthwith enter into the said land and put same into a better use”, the lawyer stated.
But in a swift reaction to this letter, the Registrar, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Dr. T. N. Kolo, in a letter made available to newsmen in Warri, acknowledged the land donors representatives decision as contained in their lawyer’s letter, noted that the foundation is still reviewing the decision of the families involved and would react to it accordingly.
“This is to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your letter on the above subject matter under reference to the university management. The four resolutions of the Owhrode community are well noted for consideration and necessary action”.
“Immediately the President/Visitor/Chancellor is back from her journey, you will be invited for another discussion on the MoU. Meanwhile, you are requested to send your desired amendments for consideration to help us fix a date for a joint meeting”, it stated.
In its reaction to the revocation of the land concession to the Cecilia Educational Foundation, the Executive committee representing the Six (6) families land donors of Owhrode community, has called on prospective members of the public who are interested in the said land space to feel free to come forward and open discussions with the families.
Making the call in a statement signed by Mr. Dobri A. Oghenerume and Ovwielejeria Showboy, Chairman and Secretary of the Owhrode land donors committee respectively, the body said the need to throw the negotiations over the land open was due to fact the deadline given to Cecilia Ibru Educational Foundation who were the earlier beneficiary had expired, hence the need to open new negotiations with interested members of the public.
