The Ojaekomo Family of Sapata Village, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos have made their concerns known, appealing through the Centre for Accountability and social Well-Being (CASW) and other relevant agencies to ensure peaceful processes regarding a disputed land which the family claims was allocated to the family by the state government.
The family has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Lagos State Government, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies, through CASW to ensure a peaceful process and maintenance of appropriate measures.
Two journalists, who served as representatives of CASW, Mariam Adekoya and Bolaji Arokoyo, highlighted he organization’s concern about developments surrounding the disputed land dispute, adding that the dispute is now public issue and required due attention on relevant agencies to ensure peaceful settlement.
The organization said the dispute should be addressed through legal and administrative procedures with the rights and interests of all parties acknowledged and respected.
The spokespersons gave a brief history about he dispute, in bid to highlight the legal credibility of the family.
Accordingly, the Ojaekomo people have been occupants of the Sapata Ojuokun area for generations.
The Lagos State Government granted the Ojaekomo Community an excision covering 60 hectares of wetland on November 13, 2015, under Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA/3834.CASW said the House of Assembly subsequently passed a resolution dated August 3, 2023, referenced LSHA/LM/C/50/VOL.II/93, concerning the allocation of the 60 hectares.
This followed a series of issues which involved the Ojomu family, leading to the eventual presentation of the case to the House of Assembly, where the Ojomu family also participated.
They added that the resolution allocated 32.42 hectares to the Ojomu Royal Family and 27.65 hectares to the Ojaekomo Family, with separate survey plans prepared for the respective portions.
Survey Plan No. LS/D/LA8451/B identified as covering approximately 27.65 hectares was allocated to the Ojaekomo family.
According to CASW, aspects of the dispute had previously been considered by the courts, adding that it would not determine the merit of the case through the media, with he Court of Appeal being the appropriate forum to determine the case.
All parties were urged to avoid actions that could increase tension around the property and to apply established judicial and administrative mechanisms to address their respective claims.
The withdrawal of Police and NSCDC personnel previously deployed around the property was also an issue of concern for the organization, while clarification of the circumstances surrounding the decision was called for.
The organization encouraged relevant authorities to review the security situation around the property and apply necessary preventive measures.
CASW claimed to have received information concerning a possible risk of confrontation about the disputed land.
It intended to provide relevant information to the appropriate security authorities.
Accordingly, the organization claimed to have created public awareness for the matter to encourage a peaceful resolution and prevent a partial judgement.
CASW called on the relevant authorities such Inspector-General of Police, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, NSCDC Commandant-General, Lagos State Governor, Attorney-General of Lagos State to ensure proper security measures re taken around the environment.
The group also appealed to the involved families, their representatives and other stakeholders to avoid self- service and continue to pursue available legal and administrative remedies.