Kunle Adelabu
-Adeboruwa condemns demolition, seeks redress for victims
Hundreds of residents of Oke – Ira in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, were rendered homeless as their houses were wantonly demolished by some unwelcomed visitors who inflicted the traumatic pains on them.
It was alleged that the demolition was carried out on the order of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The bulldozer used in carrying the harrowing incident hundreds, we gathered, was accompanied by State officials, soldiers and policemen.
Eye witnesses also told THE IMPACT that thugs were also part of the team that wreaked havoc on the Oke Ira community and rendered many people homeless and devastated.
Residents said that security personnel and thugs that accompanied the bulldozer prevented residents from taking picture or video of the demolition.
It was gathered that a case is still pending in court over the land before the government-backed demolition was carried out.
THE IMPACT also gathered that Nichemtex Cooperatives, has been at loggerhead with the land-owning family and building owners over the ownership of the land.
It was gathered that the land was allegedly sold to Nichemtex by some people in Bayeku, before Igbogbo got High Court and Appeal Court Judgments in 2009 band 2018 respectively.
The judgment had vested the ownership of the entire Oke Ira and other communities down to Bayeku, in Igbogbo.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, had intervened in the matter between Nichemtex and the family claiming ownership of the land and that the matter is coming up in court later this month.
Meanwhile, residents have condemned the demolition and the state governor who allegedly gave the order to render many people homeless.
Mr Shakiru Seidu, a member of the land-owning family and one of the victims of the demolition, placed the entire blame on the Governor, querying his interest in the land.
He said that there was no notice of any sort before the bulldozer came roaring.
He alleged that Nichemtex did not specify the number of land that they claimed that they bought.
“If you are claming ownership of land, you must specify its number but in this case, they just said vast land. It means that their vast land could include entire Igbogbo and Lagos State”, he said.
“The family refrained from bringing in Ajagungbales because this is a peaceful environment, instead of that, we took the matter before the King of Igbogbo.
“The king who is a lawyer, called the two parties. It was the king that asked us to withdraw the matter that the family had instituted in court with promise that the palace will resolve the matter and we did.
“While the palace was still on the matter, Nichemtex took us to court and the matter is still in court. The action taken by them annoyed the king who joined the matter”, Shakiru said.
“In fact, June 20 this month is the adjournment date and today they came to demolished. This is absolutely a fraud”, Shakiru said.
“I was told that Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the order and if it’s so, there is no sensible government that will do this at this time”, he condemned the action.
“We voted for him and made him the governor. We also made his second term a reality.
“This is a shock. I was just called yesterday when I was on my way to Victoria Island, to be informed about the development.
“There was no notice, information or anything. I made frantic effort to call necessary authorities and I was made to understand that it was Governor Sanwo-Olu ‘s order.
“I dont know the interest of Governor Sanwo-Olu in Oke Ira land. I don’t know the relationship between Governor Sanwo-Olu and Nichemtex. Now, they have destroyed properties worth bilions of naira.
“The family and the community are not going to take it easy with the government”.
He said that the family lawyers have been instructed to seek redress in court.
Another resident, Gbenga, described the demolition as unimaginable destruction.
“What happened is something that you cannot even imagine would happened but now, it has turned a reality.
“It was a massive destruction of properties that were built over the years with people’s sweat, carried out in just one day.
“It was very insensitive of the government to embark on such an act that inflicted pains on its citizenry, hardship that many would not recover from”, he said.
Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, while also expressing his disappointment at the level of the destruction, also condemned the harassment of residents by armed security officials.
He alleged that victims were extorted before they were allowed to move into their houses to remove items before the demolition was carried out while many who had gone to work and those who could not pay the N20, 000 allegedly demanded, had their properties destroyed along with their buildings.
“It became clear to me yesterday how we celebrated thuggery in Lagos State. They came with truck load of thugs, policemen, KAI officials and some people that I could not even place”, he said.
“People were harrassed and were extorted. They demanded the sum of #20,000 and above from owners before they could be allowed to move their belongings out of the buildings.
“They started beating people that decided to take pictures and make phone calls.
“I was harrassed by the thugs in the presence of a police officer while I was trying to put a call across to the king and the Chairman. Thank God for wisdom.
“So many people were not at home and they could not pick anything out of their homes, including vital documents.
“So many artisans had property in that area. Only God knows how long it took them to get something meaningful for themselves. Now they are back to ground zero.
“I know two of such people.( One alluminium fabricator and a generator technician)”.
While faulting the demolition, the legal expert said that such must follow laid down procedures and major stakeholders informed.
“I have not said they should not demolish any illegal building, but it must follow standard procedures”, he said.
“If it is important that buildings must be demolished, the King, LCDA chairman and the owners must be aware and notice of demolition given and not this fire brigade approach.
“About 5 years ago, they promised us ‘super highway’ and they gave us quit notice on Friday and they started demolition on Monday while we were still trying to discuss.
“The so called ‘super highway’ has refused to become a reality since then.
“For me, Igbogbo kingdom has been a focus of oppression by the government and people close to the government”, he claimed
In a phone converastion with His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, he condemned the demolition of houses at Oke-Ira.
The royal father also said that he would seek redress.
“I condemn the wanton destruction at Oke Ira in lgbogbo. It’s very unfortunate and sad developement”, Oba Kasali said.
“It is unnecessary at this crucial period of our lives when people are facing hardship and economic challenges for their properties to be destroyed.
“I seek redress on their behalf because the destruction is unjustified.
“This is a matter before the court and which are also intervening and there are instances that discretion is required.
Adeboruwa empathised and pleaded with the victims to be calm.
“I am identifying with my people at Oke-lra for the destruction of their properties which I totally condemn. I want to enjoin them to remain peaceful and calm while we find solution to the ugly situation”, Oba Kasali appealed.
