By Lukman Olabiyi
A Lagos businesswoman, Mrs. Adebayo Adewole Aderonke, has dragged a traditional ruler in the Ipaja area of Lagos State, Chief Moruf Owonla, a.k.a Kaka and a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Azeez Adekunle Lawal, popularly called Kunle Poly, before Lagos State government, accusing them of alleged land grabbing.
The businesswoman in a petition written by her lawyer, Ademola Adefolaju, to the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Chairman, Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, pleaded for recovery of her 2 acres of land from the alleged land grabbers.
The businesswoman’s petition dated January 19, 2024 and captioned: “conduct amounting to; entry into property by violence; unlawful sale of property; encroaching on property with weapons, use of land agents; and illegal occupation of property situate at Idioparun, Harmony Estate, Oke-Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos State, stated that she purchased the land from Alhaji Moroof Owonla a.k.a. Kaka Contrary To Sections 2; 3; 4; 5; 7 and 8 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law 2016.
The petitioner stated that sometimes in 2012 she purchased a parcel of land situate at Idi Oparun, Harmony Estate, Oke-Ira Nla, Aja, Lagos State, from Alhaji Moroof Owolana following which the land was fenced round with a gate and a sign board erected at the entrance.
She stated that the 4 acres of land was purchased having paid through Omo-West who acted as Kaka’s agent in the transaction but she was only able to recover 2 acres from the same after completion of payment.
The petitioner stated that sometime between 2014 and 2016, while in India for medical treatment, she was informed that Kaka and his boys had sold the land to a third party, who immediately erected a foundation, while the fence and the gate were pulled down.
The petitioner said that upon her return to Nigeria after treatment, she drew the attention of Kaka to the anomaly, but Kaka at the time claimed ignorance of the activities of the 3rd party, the transaction and their entry into the property.
The petitioner said “Sometime in 2018/2019, having returned to Nigeria after treatment, our client began to sand fill the raft foundation, consequent upon which the 3rd party showed up and the matter was reported to Langbasa Police Station, and on realising she had been inveigled into buying the property, the 3rd party allegedly proceeded to sell the land to a certain Kunle Poly with the aim of deploying him as a threat and intimidation against our client. Kunle Poly who owns and manages a property adjacent to the property in issue approached our client and proposed to buy off our client’s interest in the property with a consideration of N1, 000, 000.00 (One Million Naira) only, which our Client refused.
“On the 1st of January, 2024, our client who had instructed her agent to move some broken blocks to the frontage of the property was later informed that some thugs came to stop him from doing so, and while speaking with our client on the phone, the agent was harassed by Kunle Poly’s boys with broken bottles and was mercilessly beaten to a state of stupor.
“It was thereafter that Kunle Poly started pleading for amicable settlement and offered N2 Million as consideration, which our client again vehemently refused, considering the sum expended to purchase the property, and instead gave a counter offer of $50, 000 (Fifty Thousand U.S. Dollars) USD or share the land and the foundation thereon into two equal party which Kunle on his part also refused, and offered to meet again on the 4th of January for negotiation.
“On the 3 of January, to our client’s consternation, our client was informed that Kunle Poly had commenced clearing of the land and is attempting to erect a fence thereon, and when confronted on this tact, Kunle Poly did not deny the same, and despite having an agreement for a meeting on the 4th of January over the property, and when our client went to the property to prevent further actions, to our clients trepidation, Kunle Poly had surrounded the property with thugs and a Police van, preventing entry in or out of same, while informing our clent and his family other sinister plans he shall be taking to prevent our client from entry and final take over of the land. Kunle Poly and his boys till date are still erecting without stop the fence of the property. It is pertinent to state categorically that Kaka and his boys together with a certain ldowu and Alo were also cited on the property, acting as guide and security to the activities of Kunle Poly on the property”.
The Petitioner stated that the land in dispute was purchased from Kaka but being forcefully taken over from her, which amounts to breach and contravention of sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, particularly, as a guide, may we kindly restate the provisions of the law.
“In a bid not to resort to self-help which will amount to break down of law and order, the Petitioner urged the Lagos State government to intervene by investigating, arresting and interrogating the suspects and prosecuting them if found guilty for running foul of the law.
“We equally urge you to use the instrumentality of your good office to direct Kaka and Kunle Poly to allow our client have access, possession and control of their property to forestall the likely breakdown of peace, law and order as our client is not amenable to taking the law into her hands at this critical stage.
“We take solace in the fact that your antecedents are refreshing and consolatory in nature, character and content. Kindly react to this petition with military dispatch and impressive alacrity.”, the petitioner added.
Responding to the petition, the Lagos State government through the office of the Attorney-General, urged the petitioner’s lawyer among other things, to depose to a verifying affidavit in support of the petition, this the AG’s office said is pursuant to the provisions of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016.
The State government also urged the petitioner to provide the residential address of the alleged encroacher(s).
The AG’s response signed by the Co-ordinator, Lagos State Special Task Force/Land Grabber, Rukayat Shomade,
reads “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 19th January, 2024 in respect of the above subject and respond as follows: “You are required to depose to a verifying affidavit in support of the petition, pursuant to the provisions of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016. “You are required to furnish this Office with the residential address of the alleged encroacher(s).
“Upon the fulfilment of the above conditions, you may wish to contact the undersigned for further clarification
“Be assured of our best regards in ensuring Lagos State is free from the menace of land grabbing. Grateful, acknowledge receipt, please.”