The Ojaekomo Family of Sapata Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, has raised concerns over the continued dispute surrounding a parcel of land it says was allocated to it by the Lagos State Government.

The family, through the Centre for Accountability and Social Well Being (CASW), appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Lagos State Government, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant authorities to ensure peace and prevent any breakdown of law and order in connection with the disputed property.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing, Mariam Adekoya and Bolaji Arokoyo, who spoke on behalf of CASW, said the dispute had moved beyond a private disagreement and required appropriate attention from relevant authorities because of the competing claims over the property.

The group said the matter remained subject to legal and administrative processes and urged all parties to pursue their claims through lawful channels.

Giving the history of the disputed property, CASW said the Ojaekomo people had occupied the Sapata Ojuokun area for generations and that the Lagos State Government, on November 13, 2015, granted the Ojaekomo Community an excision covering 60 hectares of wetland under Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA/3834.

It said subsequent disagreements involving the Ojomu Family led to the matter being presented before the Lagos State House of Assembly, where relevant interests, including representatives of the Ojomu Family, participated in the process.

The group said the House of Assembly subsequently passed a resolution dated August 3, 2023, referenced LSHA/LM/C/50/VOL.II/93, concerning the apportionment of the 60 hectares between the two families.

According to CASW, the resolution provided for 32.42 hectares, representing 54 per cent, to the Ojomu Royal Family and 27.65 hectares, representing 46 per cent, to the Ojaekomo Family.

CASW said the Lagos State Government subsequently took steps relating to the resolution and caused separate survey plans to be prepared for the respective portions.

It identified Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA8451/B as covering approximately 27.65 hectares which, according to the group, was allocated to the Ojaekomo Family.

On the ongoing litigation, the group said aspects of the dispute had been before the courts, noting that a consent judgment previously obtained had subsequently been set aside following an application by persons who were not parties to the original proceedings.

It added that the decision was currently being challenged through the appropriate appellate process.

CASW said it would not attempt to determine the merits of the appeal through the media, stressing that the Court of Appeal remained the appropriate forum for resolving the legal issues before it.

The group appealed to all parties to refrain from actions that could heighten tensions around the disputed property while the relevant legal and administrative processes continued.

It also expressed concern over the withdrawal of Police and NSCDC personnel previously deployed around the property and called for clarification of the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

CASW urged the relevant authorities to review the security situation around the property and take appropriate steps to maintain public order where necessary.

The group further called on all parties connected with the dispute, including the Ojaekomo and Ojomu families, their representatives and supporters, to respect the rule of law and avoid self-help.

It urged anyone challenging the Lagos State Government’s decisions concerning the property to pursue available judicial and administrative remedies.

CASW said the Ojaekomo Family was prepared to participate in the ongoing legal processes, comply with lawful court orders and provide relevant documents to government agencies and security authorities.

It said its position was that the dispute should be resolved through established legal processes rather than confrontation.

The group appealed to the relevant authorities to continue monitoring the situation and take appropriate measures to preserve peace around the disputed property pending the resolution of the outstanding legal issues.