Onikoyi’s family sues Federal Government, others over properties 


The Onikoyi’s family has filed a suit in the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos asking the court for an order directing the Federal government to include them in future transfer of land and meeting pertaining to return of properties to the Onikoyi Royal Family.

The plaintiffs are asking the court for an injunction restraining Oba Patrick Ibikunle Fafunwa, the Onikoyi of Ikoyi/Moba land from usurping the rights of the 10 branches of Onikoyi Family, which include sale of land and usage as his personal property.

The plaintiffs are also asking the court for an order partitioning the 4.324 hectares of land which is the subject matter of suit No: LD/769/12 into 10 portions for the 10 branches that make up the Onikoyi Royal Family.

The plaintiffs also contended that the family instituted a suit No: LD/1172/93 against the Attorney-General of the Federation, NITEL, NIJA ROSE Properties Development Co. Ltd., Executive Government of Lagos State and Attorney General of Lagos State over a 43.143 hectares of land and judgment was delivered by Justice Adetula Alabi in 2003 in favour of the family.

And the plaintiffs also alleged that the land was sold by the executive committee in connivance with the Oba who was crowned in 2007.

But Oba contended that the plaintiffs in (FHC/L/CS/451/15) who are not parties to the case in suit No: LD/769/12 and who are not also parties to the terms of settlement entered in the said suit cannot competently seek a declarative relief of the court to enforce the terms of the consent judgment entered into between known and identifiable parties.

However, both the Minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development and the Implementation Committee of the White Paper on the Commission of Enquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Property (3rd and 4 respondents) in their statement of defense also stated that the terms of settlement was filed and adopted by parties in the court in suit No: LD/769/12 on February 18, 2014.

The Ministry claimed the Oba has deliberately refused to demarcate the 4.342 hectares which was the subject matter of the term of settlement in suit No: LD/769/12 as the Oba has trespassed on far more hectares than was covered by the term of settlement in suit No: LD/769/12.

The 3rd and 4th respondents said the Federal Government is willing and prepared to issue title and give possession to the Onikoyi Chieftaincy Family provided the Oba brings a legal entity or juristic person on which title will be vested.
Justice Ibrahim Buba has adjourned the matter till October 6, 2015 for hearing the preliminary objection filed by Oba Onikoyi challenging the jurisdiction of the court.