society
OPEBI LAND TUSSLE: LAGOS JUSTIFIES ACTION ON DISPUTED LAND
The Committee of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) to look into the complaint of a lawyer, M.O. Ubani (Esq.), published on social media on the 31st December 2020, in respect of land situate at 1, Folorunsho Kuku Street, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, has submitted its final report.
In order to investigate all claims, the Committee invited all the parties involved to its sitting which commenced on 4th January until 1st of February, 2021, to ascertain the identity of the land upon which enforcement was carried out and determine the present legal status of ownership as well as the level of involvement of the State Government Agencies.
It was established that the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers (LSSTF) took its action based on the petition received from Messrs. Millan Solicitors, on behalf of the Meadows family, to eject the occupants of the land in contention, which harbours shanties, mechanics and miscreants.
The petitioners tendered copies of judgements obtained from various courts (High Court – Suit No. LD/513/80. Court of Appeal – Appeal No. CA/1/92 and the Supreme Court – SC/146/1995) and other documents showing their title to the land to substantiate their position.
Consequently, the Coordinator of the Lagos Task Force confirmed the authenticity of all documents presented by the petitioner and obtained approval to embark on the enforcement, in conjunction with other government agencies whose representatives were part of the Committee set up to establish facts of the matter – Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ministry of Transportation and Office of the Surveyor-General, Lagos State.
Before finally embarking on the enforcement, steps were taken in compliance with the relevant laws guiding removal of vehicles of the mechanics illegally operating on the land; removal of the shanties and ejection of the hoodlums from the site.
The Committee members conducted a physical inspection of the land on 4th January 2020 and established that despite the demolition carried out by the Special Operations Unit, the site was still occupied by hoodlums who threatened violence and insisted that they should be left to reside at the location.
The Meadows Family (the Petitioner) was also invited to the Committee and it was established that after the execution of the judgement of the High Court of Lagos State, some mechanics and miscreants dislodged them from the land and all efforts to remove the trespassers had proved abortive until the petition to the Lagos State Special Task Force.
The Committee also ascertained that the Ex Parte Order submitted by Mr. Ubani was in the name of Circle Nigeria Limited but the C of O attached thereto in the name of Kayode Owoseye Akingbade – two different entities.
Ubani did not also provide any document to justify that the land belongs to Circle Nigeria Limited.
The findings of the Committee also indicated that:
· All the Survey Plans from both the Meadows family and that of Mr. Ubani’s Client revealed that the subject land falls within the Meadows’ family land; and that
· The land on which enforcement was carried out by the LSSTF falls within the parcel of land for which Meadows family obtained judgement in their favour in Suit No. LG/513/80.
The social media publication made by Mr. Ubani was to get public sympathy and blackmail the Government and its Agencies from carrying out their legal functions. The claim of Mr. Ubani cannot be substantiated with cogent facts.
Lagosians are assured that no illegal takeover of property will be allowed by the government, which will always be committed to the rule of law. The Special Task Force on Land Grabbers Law will be strengthened to grant the body power to remove trespassers from any land and put the rightful owner in possession of the property.
Gbenga Omotoso
HC, Information & Strategy
society
RAMADAN CHARITY: TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION AND UFAM HOLDINGS LTD EXTEND FOOD RELIEF TO MANDO COMMUNITY
*RAMADAN CHARITY: TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION AND UFAM HOLDINGS LTD EXTEND FOOD RELIEF TO MANDO COMMUNITY*
In a remarkable display of compassion and community support, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation, in collaboration with UFAM Holdings Ltd, successfully distributed food relief to over 1,000 less privileged individuals in the Mando community, Afaka, Igabi, Kaduna State, as part of the Ramadan celebrations.
The initiative, aimed at alleviating hunger during this sacred month, saw community members receiving essential food items to ensure they can observe Ramadan with dignity and sustenance. The distribution took place at the Skill Acquisition Centre, where beneficiaries gathered to collect their food packages.
During the event, the Deputy Chief Imam of Mando Central Mosque, Sheikh Bashir Adam Saleh Algoni, expressed his gratitude for the philanthropic effort. “We appreciate this gesture immensely,” he stated. He urged the public to keep the Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Amb Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, in their prayers, acknowledging his ongoing commitment to helping the less privileged. He also highlighted the contributions of UFAM Holdings Ltd, urging support for their charitable endeavors.
Beneficiaries of the food relief expressed their profound gratitude, offering prayers for Allah’s blessings on both the foundation and the company for their generous assistance during this holy month.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency Amb Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai CFR Rtd, former Chief of Army Staff and Grand Patron of the Foundation, who was represented by Col Haruna Idris Zaria Rtd, thanked the public for their continuous prayers. He emphasized the importance of using the month of Ramadan to pray for the betterment of the country and an end to the insecurity plaguing the nation. He also urged the community to support and pray for security agencies, recognizing their sacrifices in maintaining peace and safety.
This charitable initiative not only highlights the spirit of Ramadan but also reinforces the importance of community solidarity and mutual support during challenging times.
Obi’s Reform Agenda Rekindles Scrutiny of Nigeria’s Political Wealth
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“Momodu’s remarks spotlight elite affluence as analysts warn of resistance to cost-cutting reforms.”
Prominent publisher and politician Dele Momodu has reignited debate over the vast wealth attributed to sections of Nigeria’s political class, asserting publicly that certain politicians could raise as much as $500 million at short notice to secure presidential power. Though no names were mentioned, the claim has sharpened national conversations about transparency, accountability, and the true cost of governance.
Nigeria’s persistent struggle with corruption is well documented by bodies such as Transparency International, whose global assessments frequently rank the country low on public sector integrity. The optics of expansive private mansions, luxury assets, and foreign-based lifestyles among political families continue to fuel public suspicion, particularly in a nation grappling with inflation, debt pressures, and widespread poverty.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of reform advocacy by Peter Obi, who has consistently argued for cutting governance costs and institutionalizing fiscal discipline. Political economist Professor Pat Utomi maintains that entrenched elites often resist structural reform, describing elite capture as a systemic barrier to democratic accountability. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has similarly warned that democracy without transparency breeds cynicism and instability.
While no specific officeholders have been formally indicted in connection with Momodu’s remarks, the broader issue remains potent: public demand for principled leadership is rising, and scrutiny of political wealth is unlikely to fade as future elections approach.
“Obi Would Defeat Even Jesus at the Polls”: Viral Remark Sparks Political Debate Online
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
A viral statement by a prominent supporter of former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has ignited widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. The supporter, popularly known as Mama Pee, declared during a live social media broadcast earlier this week that “If Jesus comes down to contest in Nigeria, Obi go win am,” a remark intended to emphasize Obi’s perceived popularity among his core supporters.
The comment, which surfaced on X and Facebook, quickly generated sharp responses from supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While many Labour Party loyalists defended the statement as political exaggeration, critics described it as reflective of growing personality-driven politics.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party and placed third according to official results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, has not issued any public response to the remark.
The episode underscores the continued intensity of political engagement following the 2023 general elections, with online discourse increasingly shaping narratives around Nigeria’s evolving democratic space.
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