Ikorodu residents petition Lagos gov over alleged illegal demolition

Residents of TOS Estate property in Ibefun Amojo-Ojuolokun, Matori, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos, have petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the illegal demolition of their properties by certain individuals.

In a petition signed by their solicitor, Ezekiel Ogbaide& Co., titled “Save our Soul petition of conspiracy and illegal demolition of property at TOS Benson Estate,” the residents stated that they have occupied their properties for over 20 years and have built homes there.

They explained that due to proximity, they approached the residents of the Ibeshe GRA II scheme to join their Community Development Association (CDA) for security and peaceful coexistence. Initially, their request was denied as they were not part of the GRA II scheme, but after repeated attempts, they were eventually admitted.

However, soon after joining the CDA, the GRA II residents, in collusion with scheme officials, began claiming that the GRA extended to cover the TOS Estate land and had long been acquired and allotted to specific individuals.

In response to these claims, the aggrieved residents filed suit No. IKD/1317LMW/2015 on December 17, 2015, and obtained an interlocutory injunction to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Despite the legal proceedings, the GRA II residents, in conjunction with LASBCA officials, have continued to harass and threaten the TOS Estate residents to vacate their properties, claiming that they are part of the GRA II scheme.

The residents allege that LASBCA staff, led by a specific official, have colluded with GRA Phase II residents to demolish houses on two occasions, the most recent being on Thursday, October 10, 2024, when several houses were demolished in their absence.

When confronted with the pending lawsuit and the interlocutory order, the official reportedly dismissed the legal proceedings, stating, “Which court order, are we all not part of the government?”

The residents also noted that one of the GRA II residents has boasted of police protection, and two children of a TOS Estate resident are currently detained at Kirikiri prison on a fabricated charge of attempting to sell a house while taking photographs of developments violating the court order.

When contacted for comment, the official declined to address the allegations, directing The Guardian to the General Manager, Legal Director, or Public Relations Director of LASBCA.