Portman Freight Service Limited has raised concerns over what it describes as the forceful disruption and unlawful acquisition of its leased land by the management of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC).

The Freight company said that despite its right of possession and a legally binding agreement, it has been obstructed from utilising the land for its intended purposes.

Recall that in 2023, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) facilitated a tripartite agreement between Portman Freight Service Limited and LITFC, granting Portman Freight a lease on a section of the complex.

During the signing, BPE’s Director General, Mr. Alex A. Okoh, emphasised that the agreement marked a significant step towards increasing the earnings of LITFC and the Federal Government through standardised lease agreements.

Okoh further clarified that under the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act (1999), the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had originally approved the concession of LITFC to Aulic Nigeria Limited in 2007.

However, the concession was revoked in 2017 due to Aulic’s failure to meet contractual obligations, leading to the repossession of the enterprise by the LITFC Management Board and the initiation of a fresh re-concession process.

During the re-concession process, it was discovered that Portman Freight Services Limited had a pre-existing 20-year lease agreement for Hall 4 with Aulic before the latter’s concession was terminated.

Despite this, LITFC has reportedly prevented Portman Freight from developing structures on the leased 6.7-hectare land.

LITFC’s Executive Director, Mrs. Veronica Safiya Ndanusa, issued a letter to Portman Freight’s Managing Director, accusing the company of unauthorised occupation.

The letter, titled: “Provocative Intrusion, Annexation, Trespass and Occupation of Our Land,” states: “My attention has been drawn to your despicable conduct. Consequently, I am to convey Management’s utter displeasure over your recent intrusion, forceful annexation, occupation, and unauthorised activities over some portions of land in the Complex, which you commenced outside of official hours from Saturday, October 21, 2023, till date.”

Ndanusa further insisted that Portman Freight has no legal claim to the land and directed the company to halt all activities immediately.

The letter was also copied to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

It warned that failure to vacate the premises could lead to legal repercussions, including the demolition of any unauthorised structures.

However, in response to the ongoing dispute, an investigation by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos, Sholla Omilade, found that Portman Freight legally acquired the land from the BPE.

Omilade’s report advised that: “From the investigation conducted, the petitioner acquired the said hectares of land legally from the BPE. It should, therefore, be allowed to have unhindered access to the land. To avert the breakdown of law and order, the management of Trade Fair Lagos should be advised to seek civil redress if they are not satisfied with the decision of the BPE.”

Following the police findings, Portman Freight, through its consultant, Chief Stephen Nwike Ezeabata, is demanding full access and control over the leased land.

The company insists that it has met all legal requirements and urged the authorities to uphold its rights as granted by the BPE.