Firm decries alleged destruction of property, petitions Sanwo-Olu, IGP

The management of Jesenem Iron and Steel Ltd has petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun over alleged unlawful demolition of its property, intimidation, and threat to life by some officials of the Lagos State government.

The firm urged the governor to conduct a full-scale investigation into allegations of threat to life and abuse of power after the demolition of its property located along Lagos-Ikorodu Road in the Majidun area of the state.

The petition was tagged ‘Complaint against wanton destruction and vandalisation of property, intimidation, harassment, assault and threat to life by officials of Lagos State government: An appeal to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice’.

In the petition dated July 30, 2024, the firm alleged that on July 29, 2024, government officials invaded its property with armed soldiers and destroyed about 4,000 moulded blocks, opened over 30 bags of cement left on site and poured water on them to ensure that the cement caked and wasted.

The petition further stated that the officials returned to the site on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, and further destroyed over 4,500 blocks, opened an additional 70 bags of cement and poured water on them.

According to the petitioner, 8,000 blocks and 800 bags of cement were destroyed.

Besides, the officials allegedly destroyed kiosks, carted away working materials and arrested over 12 persons working on the site.

The firm stated that it acquired the land from various individual owners and the Majidun community after necessary land investigations from the appropriate ministry were carried out.