…Commends Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development For Proactiveness

A Lagos businessman, Prince Steven Olugbenga Ibitoye has cried out over alleged land grabbing and encroachment on his land which is located at Wasimi, Ojota/Maryland. 

Hybrid News Nigeria recalls that the Lagos State Government on Thursday, August 12 said it has halted construction on the buffer zone area of the Wasimi, Maryland section of Ojota-Maryland wetland being developed into a residential estate.

Mr Mukaila Sanusi, Spokesperson for Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said in a statement that developers of the site did not have any form of title to the land from the Lands Bureau or drainage clearance from the Office of Drainage Services.

Ibitoye through his solicitors, Olajide Ajana and Associates in a letter dated August 16 and acknowledged by the office of the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, stated that the land is his rightful possession. 

He said that the present developers on the land are operating illegally which is the reason why necessary approvals required could not be obtained from the state government. 

The letter stated that the land is a subject of litigation in Suit No. LD/032LM/14: between Prince Steven Olugbenga Ibitoye VS Engr. Mutiu Kunle Okunola and others And The Governor of Lagos State, Lagos State Attorney General, The Director Lagos State Lands Bureau, The Director Lagos State Public-Private Partnership Office. 

Ibitoye in the letter also expressed shock over the fact that the said property was broken into by thugs after the court had asked both parties to maintain status quo.

“It is shocking that despite the pendency of the matter before Justice Omeya of Lagos High Court, Ikeja, and the order of status quo made, the said property was broken into in February 2021.

“It was then brought to our client’s notice that the gate of his property at Wasimi Maryland Lagos has been broken down by thugs and other hoodlums armed with guns, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous weapons. 

“All the efforts made by our client through various petitions to the police from Area F, Lagos State Police Command, Force CID Alagbon/SWAT did not stop or deter the trespassers from their illegal activities on the said property.” It read.

The letter alleged that one Mr Akeem Osuolale popularly known as Owotabua operating under company name Niger CAT and one Mr Chudi Kalu, a developer operating under company name Middle Chase are presently using forged title documents to sell the property. 

According to the letter, Mr Akeem Osuolale was also alleged to have been using his close police connections to pervert justice while the developer, Mr Kalu was alleged to be reputed for forcefully obtaining people’s property.

The letter further stated that the activities of both Osuolale and Kalu are contemptuous and flagrant disregard to the authority of the honourable court, adding that the client will not relent in his effort to stop their illegal operations.

“This letter also serves as a CAVEAT not to issue any form of approval to the developers who are illegally on the said land without any Title document as the matter is Sub Justice.” It read.