Epe family kicks over land grabbing, abduction of kinswoman

The Oni-Orisan Chieftaincy Family of Epe has protested the activities of an alleged land grabber in the Epe area of Lagos State.

The family said the matter pertaining to the ‘proprietary right’ of a piece of land measuring 1.560 hectares, which ownership belongs to the family, had led to the abduction of one of its kinswomen, Modupe Oni-Orisan Damazio.

According to a statement issued, yesterday, by Damazio, who is also the Olori-Ebi of the Oni-Orisan family, the chieftaincy title in the area was issued by the Lagos State Gazette No. 47 Vol. 40 of 28 June 2007, which was further affirmed by the Lagos State High Court in suit No. M/762/2011.

The statement stated that based on its ownership right and to bring development to the community, the family entered a joint venture development agreement for a part of the land with a property development firm owned by Aare Bashir Fakorede .

It added that a premeditated land tussle was orchestrated against the family to frustrate the joint venture agreement by one Saheed Mosadoluwa (also known as (‘Ibile’), who through his company, encroached on the land and usurped the family’s ownership and control.

He was said to have erected illegal structures, threatened representatives of the family and warned members of the public not to come near the land or deal with the family or its joint venture partner.

The statement further noted that instead of responding to the illegal and provoking moves, the Oni-Orisan family returned to court to reaffirm their ownership and validate the judgment of March 29, 2012.

“However, in flagrant breach of the decision of the court and disrespect for the rule of law, Saheed Mosadoluwa mobilised armed hoodlums to the land, removed the notices, attacked people on the site, and made vicious threats.

“To ensure the judgment of the court was not frustrated, the family, acting on reports of armed hoodlums occupying the land, on July 22, 2024 reported the incident to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos State.

“Following an on-site visit on July 22, 2024, the hoodlums attacked and abducted Chief (Mrs) Modupe Oni-Orisan Damazio, the Olori-Ebi of Oni-Orisan chieftaincy family, and another member of the family, attacked the police officer attached to them and destroyed their personal effects and belongings. The police eventually intervened, leading to the release of the abducted individuals and arrest of the hoodlums,” the family further said.

The family, therefore, said they were determined to protect their ancestral land and ensure that justice prevails.