‘No court stopped judgment execution on Ikeja Saddle Club’

A Lagos landowner, Josephine Momoh, has debunked claims that a court stopped her in February 2020 from taking possession of her land in Isheri-Olowora, Ikeja, Lagos, including the land on which Ikeja Saddle Club was built.

Momoh, whose family sold 10 acres of the land in Isheri-Olowora to Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye, said her ownership of the land was confirmed by Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson of the Lagos State High Court on May 3, 2016, in suit No. 1D/1352/2001.

She stated that she took possession of the land, including the one allegedly illegally occupied by Ikeja Saddle Club under the supervision of the court-appointed sheriff.

Her action, she said, meant she fully executed the judgment on February 17, 2020.

Momoh, 75, explained that she was issued a Form O (Certificate of Execution of writ of possession) by the court on February 18, 2020, concluding her possession of the property.

It was afterwards, she added, that counsel representing the Olofin Chieftaincy Family – which was challenging her ownership of the property – filed an application for stay of further execution of the judgment.

Momoh and Adeoye absolved themselves of any illegal activity pertaining to the property as alleged by Ikeja Saddle Club in a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, alleging “unlawful invasion” and demolition of the club.

The club’s counsel, A.A. Osara, alleged that the disputed land was part of the 1969, 7, 300 Acres Global Acquisition of the Lagos State Government, adding that there was an appeal to the Supreme Court, coupled with a motion for a stay of execution pending at the apex court over the property.

But Momoh noted that the club was not a party to any of the suits on the matter and advised it (the club) to take its complaints to Lagos State Government to whom it paid money for the land.

“They should go to the state and ask them because I know that the government transferred the land to them, like an allocation.

“Let them go and ask the people who put them there. What concerns me with them? They should go and sue the people who gave them that place,” she charged

Corroborating Momoh, Adeoye explained that he bought the land after his lawyers investigated and were satisfied that there was no encumbrance whatsoever and that Momoh had taken possession as evidenced by the Form O.

According to him, when the club tried to prevent him from enjoying his property, he reported the case to the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers, which invited all parties, including the police and the Lagos State Government officials.

Saddle Club, he alleged, could not present to the task force any survey plan excluding the land on which the club was built.

The real estate developer appealed to the government and police to come to his aid and help him enjoy the fruits of the property he bought.

His counsel, Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN), affirmed the situation as narrated by Momoh and Adeoye.

“Contrary to what was stated in a widely read newspaper on Sunday 3rd of October, execution of such was never suspended as erroneously claimed.

“In fact, the execution was effectively and effectually concluded on February 17, 2020, and Form O granted on February 18, 2020.

“Thereafter, counsel representing Olofin Chieftaincy Family filed an application for stay of further execution of the judgment.

“In essence, the land upon which the Saddle Club was planted was already handed over to the Ikumoworo Family and Princess Momoh by the High Court of Lagos State,” he explained.

He added that the appeal at the apex court was slated for March 1, 2021, but because the appellant wasn’t ready, it was further slated to October 22, 2022.

“This has nothing to do with Saddle Club. It’s purely a case between the family and Lagos State,” he stressed.