The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has invoked the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to demand details of the intervention by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) in a N21.5 billion property in the Lekki Peninsula area of Lagos State.

In a formal request to the OSGOF, the organisation is seeking records explaining the circumstances, legal basis and procedures surrounding the agency’s intervention in the 13.067-hectare property comprising Plots 5, 6, 7 and 8, Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II.

CASER Executive Director, Frank Tietie, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, saying that the property is covered by a Lagos State Certificate of Occupancy dated July 15, 1988, and is claimed by BRAVEMATT Property and Investment Limited.

He said CASER became interested in the matter after receiving information about OSGOF’s intervention, particularly as the property is already the subject of proceedings before the Lagos State High Court, presided over by Justice R.O. Olukolu.

According to him, the pending proceedings and a subsisting court order raise public-interest questions over the legal and factual basis of any subsequent administrative action affecting the property.

“This request is intended to ascertain whether OSGOF acted within its lawful authority and with proper regard to the pending proceedings and subsisting order,” Tietie said.

He stressed that CASER was not determining whether any official had committed contempt, misconduct or a criminal offence, but was seeking information to establish what transpired.

The rights group, therefore, urged the OSGOF to disclose the petition, application, directive or correspondence that triggered its intervention, the person or organisation that initiated it, the date it commenced, and the names and roles of officials involved.

It also requested records showing when the OSGOF became aware of the court proceedings and order, including copies of the order received by the agency and evidence of service or acknowledgement.

CASER further called for internal memoranda, legal opinions, minutes and correspondence in which the OSGOF considered the effect of the litigation, as well as the statutory provisions, regulations, presidential directives or other legal authorities relied upon for the intervention.

The organisation is also seeking survey plans, maps, coordinates, charting and inspection reports and other technical records relating to the property, calling for evidence supporting any claim that the land falls within a Federal Government setback, coastal highway right of way, shoreline, navigable waterway, federal land or other area subject to federal control.

Tietie, however, said that CASER’s intervention was driven by its commitment to transparency, accountability, due process, respect for property rights and compliance with court orders.

He said that the FoI Act requires public institutions to provide requested information or give a reasoned refusal within seven days, warning that CASER could approach the Federal High Court for judicial review and other appropriate orders if the OSGOF failed to respond within the statutory period.