Mrs. Adepeju Omotayo, lawyer to HRM. Kabiyesi Alayeluwa Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III), has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to intervene and address the actions of Mr. Gbolahan Oki, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Barr. Omotayo, who also represents Mr. Ijeoma Daniel Eboagwu and Mrs. Paulyn Onosetale Eboagwu, raised concerns on Sunday, alleging that the Indian company Chronodexia Inv. Nigeria is using Lagos State government officials, under the direction of Oki, to seize land from her clients.
Omotayo stated in an email to our correspondent that this land dispute, which began in 2023, escalated on Friday, May 24, 2024. Despite paying all required fees to the Ministry of Physical Planning and LASBCA, and receiving approval, the property was demolished on Friday.
She explained, “In 2023, I was informed that the Indian company had accused my client of encroaching on their land. During a meeting at the Ministry of Physical Planning, I presented the governor’s consent, which my client holds, while the Indian company had no documentation to support their claim. This occurred again in July 2023, but our documents were in order, and they left.
“In December 2023, the GM of LASBCA led about 200 thugs wearing Lagos State government T-shirts. When we confronted them with our valid documents, they left.”
Omotayo expressed surprise that an Indian company could manipulate Lagos State government officials to seize land from legitimate owners with valid documents.
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“On Friday, May 24, 2024, Oki returned with about 200 thugs and the Indians, demolishing the building. No one was allowed near the site to present the documents,” she recounted.
“At around 6 pm, Chief Segun Elegushi, Opeoluwa of Ikateland, visited the site and spoke with LASBCA officials before leaving. About 250 meters from the scene, he was attacked and tear-gassed. His chief security officer, who challenged the assailants, was arrested and handcuffed like a common criminal. He has since been detained at Alausa,” Omotayo reported.
She highlighted the shock of having spent nearly N50 million to process all documents with approval from LASBCA, only for the GM to demolish a building with valid papers, without a court judgment or demolition notice.
The building’s value is estimated at N3.5 billion. Omotayo expressed particular outrage over the attack and brutalization of Elegushi’s uncle.
“It’s unthinkable that a 76-year-old man would be treated in such a manner,” she added.
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Chief Elegushi, in a separate email to our correspondent, expressed shock at the treatment his family received from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Opeoluwa of Ikateland, angered by the actions of Lagos State officials, criticized Governor Sanwo-Olu for allowing such humiliation despite the support from his younger brother, Alayeluwa Elegushi, during the 2023 gubernatorial elections.
Chief Elegushi warned that Oki’s behavior would be challenged in court