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28 years after, families recover Clay industries’ land

By Victor Gbonegun
07 March 2022   |   3:10 am
After 28 years of tussle and tenancy mismanagement, the Shosanya & Ajako families of Lagos have recovered a large parcel of land known as Old Clay Industries land, measuring about 244.36 acres situated at Owode Ibeshe Ikorodu...

We’re consulting our lawyer, says community leader

After 28 years of tussle and tenancy mismanagement, the Shosanya & Ajako families of Lagos have recovered a large parcel of land known as Old Clay Industries land, measuring about 244.36 acres situated at Owode Ibeshe Ikorodu area of Lagos state.

The parcel of land, bounded by Nichemtex Industries via Abuja Road, Igbo Agbowa Road and Voice of Nigeria at its boundary with Caritas Events Centre, had been in the possession of the families for a long time, but was leased to Clay Industries Limited sometime in 1970 for 25 years, before the leasehold expired in 1995.

It was gathered that since the expiration of the tenancy, the land was held over by police elements said to have been allegedly installed by a former head of state and president of Nigeria.

Rather than resorting to violence in the recovery of the land, the families proceeded to court to seek redress. Attorney to the families, Sola Enitan of Messrs Cromwell Professional Services International Limited, who led Sheriffs from the Lagos High Court, land surveyors and detachment of mobile police in a court-ordered possession, said those in occupation of the large expanse of land were unknown persons.

Citing the case instituted by the families and judgment on suit No: IKD/95521LMW/2020 of the High Court of Lagos, Ikorodu Judicial Division of December 18, 2020, which was also sighted by The Guardian, Enitan said that the court ordered enforcement has led to the recovering of the land.

Enitan explained that judgment for repossession of the property was given on December 18, 2020 by Justice A, F. Pokanu in a case between Chief Waide Jemina Bello Ajako; Chief Salaudeen Afuwape Ominiha Ajako; Mr Saliu Nello Ajako; Chief Amidu Shittu Oyebo Ajako; Chief Kazzim Okelanfa Fadeyi Shosanya; Chief Yekini Olaide Fadeyi Shosanya; Madam Iyabo Moriamo Fadeyi Shosanya; Mr Femi Oye Demosu Shosanya -(the lawful and accredited representatives of Shosanya and Ajako Familly)- and persons unknown as defendants.

However, during the enforcement of the Court ordered possession, some Mobile Police led by one Inspector Ademulegun Samuel and three others whose identities were not disclosed said they were posted to the Clay Industries Ltd, Ibeshe, Ikorodu Lagos on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner (Operations), Lagos State Police Command.

The officers alleged that a former head of state and president of Nigeria, made the request for their posting at the site and they cannot allow the court to take any possession. But the Sheriffs of Court went about their duties posting the signage without recourse to officers.

MEANWHILE, reacting to the development, the Baale of Molatori, Chief Ayodele Ominiha, said the contested property was released to them via a Federal Certificate of Occupancy in the name of Ominiha Giwa (now late) by the Federal Government.

Ominiha said that the land has a survey plan and other relevant documents, which were under the custody of their late father.

According to him, his family is not aware of any court case or judgment concerning the land.

“Am surprised to see some group of people marking and sealing some part of the land because we do not have any notification about an ongoing court case or judgment in respect to possession of the land. As a result, i will not say anything further, until we consult our family lawyer,” he said.

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