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By Adebowale Johnson
The Kuje-Amuwo Chieftaincy Family has petitioned the Police Monitoring Unit, Obalende, Lagos, over alleged interference in its disputed 508.152-hectare property in Festac Town Extension by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and other parties, allegedly using the Lagos State Task Force on Land Matters.
In a petition dated September 28, 2026, the family alleged that the property, located around the 6th and 7th Avenues of Festac Town Extension, had been subjected to harassment, intimidation and disruption of activities despite what it described as existing court orders restraining demolition and obstruction on the land.
The family urged the police to conclude investigations into the dispute, which it said began in March 2026 following an earlier petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and make their findings public.
The petition, signed by the family’s General Secretary/Coordinator, O.M. Osobase , expressed concern that the investigation had yet to produce a position paper despite ongoing litigation between the family and the FHA over ownership and control of the property.
The family alleged that the authority had continued to take actions affecting the disputed land despite the court orders it cited in support of its claim.
Tracing the dispute to the Federal Government’s acquisition of portions of its land for the 1977 World Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC ‘77, the family claimed that some portions allegedly left unused after the event were subsequently encroached upon and sold to members of the public.
It said efforts to recover the portions it considered unutilised led to correspondence and meetings with the Federal Ministry of Land and Housing, culminating in a charting exercise ordered by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.
According to the petition, the exercise, conducted with reference to Land Plan No. LS/A/BG/63, established that only 4.017 hectares, representing 0.790 per cent of the disputed 508.152 hectares, fell within the area acquired for the FHA.
The family further claimed that the Federal Ministry issued a letter in December 2010 concerning the release of the unused portion of the land to it.
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It also cited a court order dated May 25, 2010, which it said granted it physical possession of the property.
A major concern raised in the petition was an alleged directive by Engineer O.E. Dare, identified by the family as a Federal Controller with the Federal Ministry of Works, to the Lagos State Task Force on Land Matters.
The family said the directive was presented to the Police Monitoring Unit as authorisation for actions on the disputed property but questioned its relevance to the Festac land.
According to the petition, the document specifically concerned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, including alleged vandalisation of critical infrastructure and the presence of illegal structures along the highway.
The family questioned the basis for applying the directive to its property around the 6th and 7th Avenues of Festac Town Extension, arguing that the subject matter appeared unrelated to the land in dispute.
It urged the police to consider the restraining orders it said had been issued by the courts against demolition and obstruction of activities on the property.
The petition also referred to ongoing proceedings before Justice Raliat Adebiyi, with October 15, 2026, stated as the next adjourned date.
The family appealed to the Police Monitoring Unit to urgently resolve the issues surrounding the alleged involvement of the task force and publish its findings, saying the outcome could assist the court in reaching an informed decision on the dispute.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Presidency, the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister of Land and Housing, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
