Group raises the alarm over activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community

Accuses Sanwo-Olu of failing to protect legitimate authority

The Centre For Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has raised the alarm over continuous threat to public peace caused by unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community, Ajiran land, in the Eti-Osa Local Council of Lagos State.

President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, at a press conference, yesterday, in Lagos, said it has become imperative to put an end to the 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 country’s Constitution.

“CHSR has received a number of complaints bordering on activities of land grabbers who overtime had become atrocious in Ojomu community. The various petitions by concerned stakeholders regarding the worrisome activities of land grabbers had been extensively reviewed by civil society groups under the platform of CHSR,” Omotehinse said.

He said these petitions include those forwarded to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and critical actors of Lagos State Government namely – the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff to the Governor; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency and Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers.

While noting that the letters decried the alarming unlawful activities of land grabbers under the coordination of one Mr. Ahmed
Tajudeen, Omotehinse said the petition was also forwarded to the Inspector General of Police earlier on December 8, 2022 from FADESERE & CO (legal practitioners) on behalf of Oba Akinloye Tijani Sateru II of Ajiran Land and the Balogun of Ajiran Land,
Alhaji Yekini Chief Olawale Bakare, regarding harassment, hooliganism, threats to life and conducts likely to cause breach of public peace in the community.

Omotehinse said these land grabbers engage 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 Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen are in total disregard for the authority of the traditional institution of Ajiran land vested in the office of Oba Akinloye Tijani.

“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 the said Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen are in blatant negation of existing valid agreements between landowners and the bona fide family in Ojomu community,” he said.

Omotehinse said the 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 the community, as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.

He added: “Therefore, the civil society stakeholders under the platform of CHSR hereby demand that both the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Police Force should put an end to harassment of authentic allottees and rightful owners of lands in Ojomu community and by extension Ajiran land.

“We call out the Lagos State Government for failing to protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in Ajiran land against the reckless insubordination of land grabbers. We urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ugly situation and restore the honour and pride deserved by the legally recognised custodians of culture and heritage of Ajira land.

“We urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate incidents relating to the threats to lives of HRM Oba Akinloye Tijani, the Balogun of Ajiran land, Alhaji Yekini Olaale Bakare and members of their families, which for the basis of the petition forwarded to the Inspector General of

Police on December 8, 2022.”
When contacted on phone, Tajudeen, who said he is a bona fide indigene of the community, said he’s never a land grabber but those who have been protecting lands in the community.

He said most of the existing problem in the community and the fathers caused its environs. “I am not in Nigeria currently but I can link you up with our secretary,” Tajudeen said.