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The Centre for Public Accountability and Social Well-Being (CPASW) has commended the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Nigeria Police Force for their interventions towards resolving the protracted land dispute between the Ojaekomo family and the Ojomu chieftaincy family at Sapata village, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The organisation also warned prospective buyers, property developers, investors and members of the public against purchasing, acquiring or engaging in any transaction involving the 27.65-hectare parcel of land allocated to the Ojaekomo family without the authorisation of its duly accredited representatives, which is Shaffykay and and Co property Limited.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, the president of the group, Omolola Shola Justice and the Secretary, Oluwasegun Gbamila, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for the steps taken to address the competing claims over the disputed property, while acknowledging the intervention of the state House of Assembly and the investigation conducted by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos.
The group specifically commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Alagbon, Mr. Simeon U. Akpanudom and the Officer-in-Charge of Legal, Alagbon, Adewuyi Oyewale Taiwo and her team for their respective roles in the investigation and efforts towards resolving the dispute.
The group said the interventions had provided an opportunity to address the competing claims through official records, government decisions and established legal procedures rather than allowing the disagreement to degenerate into further confrontation.
The Lagos State House of Assembly, in a resolution dated August 3, 2023, referenced LSHA/LM/C/50/VOL.II/93, reportedly allocated 27.65 hectares of the disputed 60-hectare wetland to the Ojaekomo family and 32.42 hectares to the Ojomu chieftaincy family.
The resolution followed a petition by the Ojaekomo family over competing claims to the property, which the family maintained had previously been excised in its favour by the state government.
According to group, the Ojaekomo family received an excision covering approximately 60 hectares on November 13, 2015, during the administration of Babatunde Fashola.
However, the dispute intensified in 2022 after the Ojomu family reportedly obtained a certificate of occupancy, No. 99/99/2022E, covering the same parcel of land, prompting the Ojaekomo family to seek the intervention of the state legislature.
The organisation said the Lagos State Government subsequently revoked the certificate of occupancy previously issued to the Ojomu family, while a letter dated October 29, 2025, from the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice addressed the implementation of the Assembly’s resolution.
It added that the Office of the Surveyor-General of Lagos State prepared separate survey plans identifying the respective portions allocated to the two families.
The survey plans, according to CPASW, cover 32.42 hectares for the Ojomu chieftaincy family and 27.65 hectares for the Ojaekomo family, providing documentary references for identifying the respective parcels under the allocation framework.
The organisation, however, expressed concern over alleged attempts to interfere with the Ojaekomo family’s interest in the allocated property, including efforts to persuade relevant authorities to relocate the family to Epe or Ibeju-Lekki.
It also cited allegations of intimidation, interference in the family’s internal affairs and incidents involving workers engaged by the family. These developments reportedly prompted the submission of a petition to the Nigeria Police Force against Bashiru Fakorede and other persons allegedly connected with the incidents.
CPASW said the police investigated the complaint and examined documents presented by the Ojaekomo family’s counsel, Keshi Elvis.
While commending the police for the investigation, the organisation stressed that impartial examination of evidence, respect for due process and adherence to official government decisions were necessary to prevent further disputes over the property.
As part of its position on the matter, the organisation drew attention to a formal caveat emptor notice, warning members of the public against purchasing, acquiring, letting, leasing or otherwise dealing with the 27.65-hectare parcel allocated to the Ojaekomo family.
The notice specifically identified the land as the parcel covered by the Lagos State Government Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA/8451/B and stated that it was allocated and vested in the Ojaekomo family by the Lagos State Government pursuant to government allocation bearing file No. ES/LUAC/LB/PSDP/331.
It cautioned prospective purchasers, investors, developers, estate agents and other interested parties against entering into transactions involving the property through any individual, group, family, company or entity other than the duly accredited representatives of the Ojaekomo family and Shaffykay & Co. Property Limited.
The notice further stated that any purported allocation, sale, transfer, letting, leasing, mortgage, charging, subdivision, construction or other transaction affecting the identified 27.65 hectares without the authorisation and consent of the accredited representatives of the Ojaekomo family and Shaffykay & Co. Property Limited was expressly disputed and would be treated as unauthorised.
It urged members of the public to exercise due diligence and independently verify the authenticity of any proposed transaction involving the land before making payments or entering into contractual commitments.
The notice warned that anyone who deals with the property in disregard of the caveat does so at their own risk and may be exposed to appropriate civil or criminal proceedings where justified by law.
It said the warning was intended to draw public attention to the competing claims and the government’s reported allocation framework, while discouraging transactions that could trigger fresh disputes or expose unsuspecting property buyers to financial and legal complications.
The organisation urged the Lagos State Government and relevant authorities to ensure that the status and boundaries of the 27.65-hectare parcel allocated to the Ojaekomo family were clearly established and protected in line with official records, government decisions and applicable laws.
It also called on both families to refrain from confrontation, intimidation and undue influence, advising them to channel any outstanding grievances through lawful administrative procedures or the courts.
It said its intervention was guided by the principles of accountability, equity, social justice and peaceful conflict resolution, adding that its objective was to promote a lasting settlement that respected the interests and rights of all parties.
It expressed hope that continued cooperation among the Lagos State Government, security agencies and the two families would prevent further tensions and promote peaceful coexistence in Sapata village and the wider Ajiran community.
