By Olusegun Olanrewaju
The Oni-Orisan Chieftaincy family of Epe has protested the activities of an alleged land grabber in the Epe area of Lagos State.
The family said the matter which pertains to the ‘propriety right’ of a piece of land measuring 1.560 hectares which ownership belongs to the family, had led to the abduction of one of its kinswomen, Chief Modupe Oni-Orisan Damazio.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Damazio, who is also the Olori-ebi of the Oni-Orisan family, the chieftaincy title in the area was issued by the Lagos State Gazette No 47 Vol. 40 of 28 June 2007 which was further affirmed by the Lagos State High Court in Suit No. M/762/2011.
According to the statement, based on its ownership right and to bring development to the community, the family entered a Joint Venture Development agreement for a part of the land with 2B5M (NIG) LTD, a property development owned by Aare Bashir Fakorede, a notable businessman and real estate industrialist.
The statement added that in a twist of events, a premeditated land tussle was orchestrated against the Oni-Orisan Chieftaincy family to frustrate the joint venture agreement by one Mr Saheed Mosadoluwa (also known as ‘Ibile’), who through his company, encroached on the land and usurped the family’s ownership and control.
He was said to have erected illegal structures threatened representatives of the family and warned members of the public not to come near the land or deal with the family or its Joint Venture partner.
The statement further noted that instead of responding to the illegal and provoking moves, the Oni-Orisan family returned to Court to reaffirm their ownership and validate the judgement of 29th March 2012.
The family added, “However, in flagrant breach of the decision of the court and disrespect for the rule of law, Mr Saheed Mosadoluwa, mobilised armed hoodlums to the land, removed the notices, attacked people on the site, and made vicious threats.
“To ensure the judgement of the court was not frustrated, the family, acting on reports of armed hoodlums occupying the land, on the 22nd of July 2024 reported the incident to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos State.
“Following an on-site visit on the 22nd of July 2024, the hoodlums attacked and abducted Chief (Mrs) Modupe Oni-Orisan Damazio, the Olori-ebi of Oni-Orisan Chieftaincy family, and another member of the family, attacked the police officer attached to them and destroyed their personal effects and belongings. The police eventually intervened, leading to the release of the abducted individuals and arrest of the hoodlums.”
The family said they were determined to protect their ancestral land and ensure that justice prevails.
In his reaction, Mosadoluwa claimed the judgement that the Oni-Orisan chieftaincy family got was not against his company but another firm named China harbour.
Besides, he claimed that he bought the land legitimately from four families, which included the Oni-Orisan Chieftaincy family, adding that he had also made complaints to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, on the matter.
He, however, did not dispute the authenticity of the judgement secured by the Oni-Orisan family.
