The Enugu State Government has regained control of a 1.4-hectare property in Wuye District, Abuja, following a prolonged dispute over alleged attempts by land grabbers to take over the site.

The recovered property, located at Plot 804, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye District, is now being developed as the Woodlands Estate, a housing project being delivered through a partnership between the Enugu State Government and Tout Moi Nigeria Limited.

The project was officially flagged off in Abuja after the state government successfully reclaimed the property. Officials said the land had originally been allocated to Enugu State by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) but became the subject of a dispute that lasted several years.

The Permanent Secretary/Liaison Officer of the Enugu State Liaison Office in Abuja, Barrister Chukwuka Ugwu, said the state government eventually intervened to protect its interest in the property.

He also called for stronger land administration and documentation in the Federal Capital Territory to prevent multiple allocations and ownership disputes.

According to him, a properly documented land administration system would make it more difficult for the same property to be allocated to different individuals or organisations and would provide greater protection for legitimate property owners.

Project Delayed by Land Dispute

The Principal Architect of Tout Moi Nigeria Limited, Arc. Maryam Bello Barkindo, said the development had been delayed for about three years because of challenges surrounding the property.

She explained that the developers spent about six months dealing with attempts to take over the site before the intervention of the Enugu State Government enabled them to regain access through lawful channels.

Barkindo said the experience demonstrated the importance of effective land administration and proper legal processes in protecting legitimate property investments.

Woodlands Estate to Provide 43 Housing Units

The Woodlands Estate is planned as a green housing development comprising 43 units, including high-rise apartments, terrace buildings and semi-detached houses.

The development will also feature a clubhouse and recreational facilities, with sustainability incorporated into the project’s design.

The developers said the project will focus on measures including energy reduction, waste recycling and the use of materials and construction processes that conserve energy.

Stakeholders at the project launch said sustainable development should become a central part of Nigeria’s approach to urban housing rather than being treated as an optional feature.

Land Administration Remains a Major Housing Challenge

The dispute has also drawn attention to broader problems within Nigeria’s land administration system.

Hassan Usman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Frontier Development Limited, said weaknesses in land titling, development approvals and access to long-term financing continue to limit investment in the housing sector.

He argued that delays in obtaining titles, Certificates of Occupancy and development approvals ultimately add to the cost of housing because developers incur additional expenses while projects remain stalled.

Usman advocated comprehensive cadastral mapping and computerised land records that would allow prospective property owners to independently verify ownership and property boundaries before committing their money.

A transparent digital land information system, he said, could reduce fraudulent claims, improve confidence in the property market and make land transactions more secure.

High Construction Costs Also Threaten Affordability

The Enugu State Government also highlighted the rising cost of construction materials as another major barrier to affordable housing.

Ugwu said the cost of materials such as cement, steel and timber makes it increasingly difficult for developers to deliver homes at prices accessible to ordinary Nigerians.

He called for government incentives, subsidies and policies that encourage local production of construction materials as part of efforts to bring down building costs.

The stakeholders also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding housing supply, improving infrastructure and introducing more sustainable development models.

The Woodlands Estate therefore represents more than a single housing project. Its development highlights three interconnected challenges facing Nigeria’s housing market: secure land ownership, affordable construction and access to reliable housing finance.

For the sector to deliver housing at scale, stakeholders say reforms in these areas will be necessary alongside increased investment in physical development.

The post Enugu Reclaims Wuye Property After Land-Grabbing Dispute appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasidi Ladoja, has ordered an immediate halt to the planned demolition of about 200 houses at Isokan Estate Extension in the Alao Akala, Elebu area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The decision followed a series of meetings between the monarch and affected residents seeking intervention over the dispute.

The directive was conveyed in a statement issued by the monarch’s media aide, Adeola Oloko.

According to the statement, a claimant identified as Mogaji Olopade Taofeek Abiola, popularly known as Mogaji Oloyin, had reportedly claimed ownership rights over the disputed land based on a judgment allegedly obtained from the Ibadan High Court.

The claim reportedly triggered tension within the community and prompted concerned landlords and landladies to approach the traditional ruler for assistance.

Following consultations and reviews of the matter, the Olubadan ordered that no building in the area should be demolished pending further action.

He also instructed property owners whose rooftops had already been removed during the dispute to immediately restore them.

The monarch warned individuals involved in unlawful land acquisition activities to stay away from the community, stressing that preserving the structures would provide clarity regarding ownership claims and ongoing disputes.

According to him, allowing the buildings to remain intact would help establish the facts surrounding allegations of encroachment and determine subsequent actions.

The intervention has brought relief to many affected residents who feared losing their homes amid the land ownership dispute.

Land disputes and alleged land-grabbing activities have remained recurring concerns in parts of Ibadan and other urban communities, often leading to legal battles and intervention by traditional institutions and government authorities.

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has proposed a legal framework aimed at curbing the persistent menace of land grabbing in Ibadan.

The monarch made this known while receiving the report of the Niyi Akintola Anti-Land Grabbing Committee at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, the proposed framework includes the enactment of bye-laws by local government councils in line with the Land Use Act. The laws are expected to establish special tribunals to fast-track land-related cases and impose stricter sanctions on offenders.

Oba Ladoja stressed the urgency of addressing land grabbing, describing it as a growing threat to the city’s development and investment climate.

Crackdown on Fake Documents and Petitions

The monarch recounted recent incidents involving fraudulent land claims, including the presentation of a questionable court judgment allegedly dating back to 1912.

He dismissed the document as fake, noting that it predates Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914 and cannot be legally valid in modern disputes.

Ladoja also raised concerns over the misuse of fake survey plans and petitions, warning against individuals who exploit legal loopholes to dispossess rightful landowners.

He further criticised the trend of filing misleading petitions with security agencies, calling for stricter punishment for offenders.

Committee Findings and Concerns

The anti-land grabbing committee, inaugurated in October 2025, was tasked with investigating the root causes of land disputes and proposing legal solutions.

Chairman of the committee, Niyi Akintola, revealed that the panel received over 179 memoranda, reflecting widespread public concern over land-related disputes.

He described land grabbing networks as deeply entrenched, with links to various institutions and stakeholders across the system.

“The system stinks,” Akintola stated, highlighting the scale of corruption and collusion fueling land disputes in the region.

Traditional Leaders Under Scrutiny

The Olubadan also warned that traditional title holders, including Mogajis and Baales, found complicit in land grabbing activities would face serious consequences.

He emphasised the need for integrity in traditional leadership, noting that unchecked abuses have contributed significantly to the crisis.

The monarch commended members of the committee for their efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring order in land administration across Ibadan.

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Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate sector have condemned the demolition of about 50 buildings in a Lagos community by suspected land grabbers popularly known as Omo Onile.

The incident occurred in the Surulere community of Amikanle, near the Command area in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving several homeowners counting heavy losses.

Residents said the suspected thugs invaded the area on January 27, 2026, demanding payments ranging from N15 million to N25 million from property owners.

According to eyewitness accounts, houses belonging to residents who failed to meet the demands were subsequently demolished.

Real estate stakeholders react

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oikus, Israel Ihaza, condemned the action and called for greater transparency, structure and proper documentation in the real estate sector.

He described the incident as disturbing and harmful to the credibility of the property market in Lagos.

“It’s sad how some individuals continue to bastardise government authority and existing regulatory structures to carry out illegal activities. Incidents like this are deeply troubling for everyone who believes in the rule of law and the future of real estate in Lagos,” Ihaza said.

He explained that unclear ownership records, weak enforcement and fragmented property visibility often create opportunities for such abuses.

Calls for stronger regulation

Ihaza noted that the government is working toward strengthening systems within the sector through digital oversight and regulatory enforcement.

He added that efforts are ongoing to professionalise the real estate sector, digitise land records and improve accountability across the property value chain.

According to him, the persistent activities of Omo Onile have remained a structural challenge within the Lagos property market for years.

He stressed that the demolition of residential buildings has severe consequences beyond the physical structures.

“When a house is demolished, the loss goes far beyond bricks and mortar. It involves life savings, retirement plans, children’s education and family stability,” he said.

Legal concerns and financial losses

Also speaking, legal counsel to the Project Affected Persons within the 150-metre setback of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sola Enitan, said demolition has increasingly become a method of extortion in parts of Nigeria, particularly in Lagos.

He urged affected homeowners to pursue legal action and defend their property rights.

Enitan estimated that the financial impact of such demolitions has been enormous.

According to him, at least 52 demolished buildings valued at about N50 million each would amount to roughly N2.6 billion in losses.

He warned that such incidents could discourage investors and developers from committing funds to housing projects.

Real estate analysts say the continued activities of land grabbers pose a serious threat to housing development and investor confidence in Lagos State.

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A fresh wave of tension has erupted in Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State as businessman and philanthropist, Tony Aduro, and the Chairman of the council, Andrew Ogunsakin, clash over the ownership of a disputed parcel of land.

The conflict, which has triggered protests and community-wide division, centres on Plot LH 114, Oke-Oyinbo Road, a piece of land Aduro claims to have legally purchased.

Aduro: “I’m being victimised for supporting grassroots development”

In a statement issued by his counsel, Brikani Mbeh, Aduro rejected allegations of land grabbing, insisting he acquired the land legitimately from the original Federal Government allottee.

> “I am not a land grabber. I purchased this land legally. My only offence is that I support grassroots development, and some people do not like that,” he said.

Aduro alleged that during a visit to the property with his workers, they were attacked by thugs allegedly linked to the council chairman — a situation he described as “an abuse of power.”

Protests by Hausa community escalate tension

Earlier, members of the Hausa community in Okitipupa staged a protest claiming they were being forcefully evicted from the disputed land at Aduro’s instruction.

But the businessman insists that the protest was politically orchestrated, stating that the property has long been recognised as Federal Government land, not council property.

Council Chairman fires back

Responding to the crisis, Chairman Andrew Ogunsakin accused Aduro of falsifying claims and manipulating security agencies, alleging that the businessman misled the police — a development that prompted his recent invitation to Abuja for questioning.

Aduro’s investments in the community

Despite the dispute, Aduro says he remains committed to developing communities in Okitipupa and Ikale, listing several completed and ongoing projects, including:

Solar-powered community water projects

• An ultra-modern library
• Science and computer laboratories
• Health centres worth over N65 million
• Aduro Farms, valued above N2.5 billion, created to boost jobs and local economic opportunities

He stressed that his intention was to create impact, not conflict.

Legal battle continues

The businessman says he will continue to pursue the matter through lawful means, expressing confidence that “truth will prevail.”

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The Alesa community in Eleme Local Government Area, host to the Port Harcourt Refineries, has inaugurated a government-backed, community-based Land Development Committee (ALDEC) to tackle land grabbing and fraudulent land sales. The initiative is aimed at protecting investors, ensuring proper land ownership, and promoting sustainable development in the area.

The committee was inaugurated by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor JD Mkpe, who stressed the urgent need to safeguard land transactions and prevent underage or fraudulent sales. “If you sell any land without this committee’s knowledge, you do so at your own risk,” the ruler warned. He further encouraged investors to explore opportunities in Alesa, assuring that legitimate land acquisitions will be backed up to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).

Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, chairman of the committee, emphasized that ALDEC is designed to streamline land processes, promote transparency, and enhance the reputation of Alesa as a secure investment hub. “This committee will work with the council of chiefs to ensure land matters are handled properly. Our goal is to support investors while preventing disputes and illegal sales,” Olaka said.

The initiative has received strong backing from local leaders and stakeholders, including youth and women leaders, who highlighted the importance of protecting community lands and promoting equitable development.

The committee also aligns with ongoing projects such as the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, supported by My-ACE China, Mayor of Housing. The project aims to enhance infrastructure, attract investment, and foster economic growth in the region.

By implementing a community-based land oversight system, Alesa sets a precedent for other communities in Rivers State and across Nigeria, demonstrating that local governance and structured land management can effectively curb land fraud while boosting investor confidence.

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