Civil Society Group Calls on Lagos, IG to Tackle  Land Grabbers 

Sunday Okobi

Civil society stakeholders on the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) have expressed deep concern over what they described as the continuous threats to public peace of the unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community otherwise referred to as Ajiran Land in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The group therefore, stated that it considered it compelling to draw the attention of relevant authorities in Lagos State as well as security agencies and other relevant institutions to the perilous situation in Ojomu community and to demand urgent actions.

At a press conference held in Lagos and addressed by the President of CHSR, Alex Omotehinse, the service-oriented non-governmental organisation (NGO) said: “The intervention of civil society stakeholders has become imperative to put an end to reckless abuse of human rights, malicious disobedience of constituted authorities as well as brazen disregard for the laws of Lagos State as enforceable in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our action has become pertinent to forestall further disorderliness in Ajiran Land in the interest of public peace, as the situation in Ojomu community indeed calls for urgent intervention.

“CHSR has received a number of complaints bordering on activities of land grabbers who overtime have become atrocious in Ojomu community.” 

“The various petitions by concerned stakeholders regarding the worrisome activities of land grabbers in Ajiran Land have been extensively reviewed by Civil Society Groups under the platform of CHSR.

“These petition include those forwarded to the Nigeria Police as well as ministries, agencies and critical actors of Lagos State Government, including the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers.

“Copies of these petitions made available to CHSR included a letter forwarded to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, on December 12, 2022, by the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, decrying the alarming unlawful activities of land grabbers under the coordination of Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen and demanded the intervention of the Nigeria Police in curbing the menace.”

Omotehinse, however, lamented that it’s unfortunate that no concrete action has been taken by both Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police to put Tajudeen and other land grabbers in check.

According to the group, “These land grabbers led by Tajudeen have engaged in wanton harassment of rightful allottees and criminal trespass on legitimately acquired lands in flagrant violation of the extant laws of Lagos State.

“It is indeed alarming that the activities of Tajudeen are in total disregard for the authority of the traditional institution of Ajiran Land vested in the office of Oba of Ajiran Land, His Royal Highness, Oba Akinloye Tijani Sateru II.”

The group, registered as a corporate body to defend, sustain and promote the fundamental human and socio-economic rights of citizens, alleged that under the coordination of Tajudeen, “these land grabbers circumvent legitimate land documentations that bear the seal of Lagos State Ministry of Lands and the Consent of the authority of Governor of Lagos State as provided for under the land acquisition procedures of Lagos State.

“More disturbing, however, is that the illegitimate activities of Tajudeen are in blatant negation of existing valid agreements between land owners and the bonafide family in Ojomu community.

“CHSR is concerned that the masterminds of the disturbance in Ojomu communities are acting contrary to the orders and authorities of legally constituted and recognised traditional institution of Ajiran Land who are the legitimate custodians of culture and heritage of Ajiran Land as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.”

The group therefore, called out the Lagos State Government for failing to protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in Ajiran Land against the reckless insubordination of land grabbers.

CHSR said: “We urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate incidents relating to the threats to lives and reverse the ugly situation and restore the honour and pride deserved by the legally recognised custodians of culture and heritage of Ajiran land.

“We demand that Lagos State Government investigate allegations of forgery of Deed of Assignment and other land related documents duly authorised and signed with the authority of Ojumu family as well as Lagos State land documents.

“We also demand that the state government should urgently investigate human rights abuses being perpetrated by land grabbers in Ojomu community including intimidation and ostracizing of certain sons of Ojomu community by Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to direct the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that the rights of innocent citizens are not trampled forthwith in Ojomu community in the interest of justice and peace.”