Suva lawyer, Niko Nawaikula said the NLTB board should expect compensation claims from Nakalawaca villagers, after High Court Judge, Justice Filimoni Jitoko ruled that the land on which Fulton College is situated, was leased out without the consent of the landowners as required.
Nawaikula said NLTB should be ready for compensation claims because they did not follow proper procedures when they leased the land without consulting the landowners.
Justice Jitoko highlights that the NLTB board must consult the native landowners, as outlined in the NLTB Act before any native land is leased out.
The Yavusa Salatu took legal action against the NLTB and Fulton College after 100 acres of their land was excluded from their reserve claim after a report published in 1958.
However Justice Jitoko ruled that under the NLTB act, the land must be reverted to native reserve once the lease does expire which in this case was not done.
