The Soje family has filed an appeal against the judgment of Justice W. Animahun of the Lagos State High Court, Epe, which awarded the ownership of a disputed parcel of land in Eredo Community, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, to the Adegbajo Royal family, while also warning against any attempt to sell or otherwise dispose of the land pending the determination of the appeal.

The appeal, filed through the family’s counsel, Mr James Babatunde Alara, at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal and marked CA/LAG/CV/426/2026, seeks to set aside the judgment delivered on February 12, 2026, and to grant the appellants’ counterclaim dated June 26, 2025.

In the Notice of Appeal, the appellants argued that the trial judge erred in law by granting the claimants’ case despite what they described as the claimants’ failure to discharge the legal burden of proof required under the law.

They further contended that the court wrongly concluded that the defendants’ payment of gifts amounted to tribute and recognition of the Adegbajo family as customary owners of the disputed land, despite conflicting traditional evidence presented by both parties.

According to the appellants, the judge also erred by equating occasional gifts to a traditional ruler with acknowledgement of overlordship.

The appellants are asking the Court of Appeal to reverse the judgment of the lower court and enter judgment in their favour by granting their counterclaim.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the appeal, the Soje family stated that they have substantial investments on the disputed land, including residential buildings, farms, factories and other commercial activities employing hundreds of people.

They added that many occupants have lived on the land since 1999 and invested heavily in it, warning that those investments could be irreparably damaged if the judgment is enforced before the appeal is determined.

The disputed land, located at Atake, Mafara, Semisolose, Taramigbuya, Agodo and Igbonla in Eredo, has been the subject of a long-running ownership dispute between the Soje family and the Adegbajo Royal family.

The litigation began after the Adegbajo family filed a suit marked EPD/5231LMW/2017 before the Lagos State High Court, Epe.

The claimants were represented by Sakiru Adesanya Adebanjo, Olusola Adebo, Mr Adeleke Oshunkoya, Mr Morufu Akodu, Mrs Keji Adewale and Mr Shona Owoseni, while the Soje family was represented by Mr Tijani Ismaila Olalekan, Mr Sadiku Fatai, Lateef Adesanya and Mr Waidi Tijani.

Justice Animahun eventually entered judgment in favour of the Adegbajo family.

Meanwhile, to preserve the subject matter of the appeal, the Soje family, through its counsel, Mr Jimmy Alara, has written to the Adegbajo Royal family warning against any attempt to alienate, sell or otherwise deal with the disputed land while the appeal is pending.

In the letter, referenced OC/JA/SOJF/26 and dated June 8, 2026, and addressed to the Adegbajo family for the attention of the Olisa of Odogbawojo, the appellants alleged that the respondents had begun erecting signboards around the disputed property inviting members of the public to contact them.

The Soje family warned that such actions could dissipate the subject matter of the appeal, create confusion and ultimately render any decision of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

It urged all parties to maintain the status quo until the appellate court determines the matter.