Traditional rulers and religious leaders in the Agege community of Lagos State have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the AIG Zone 2 Command, the State Commissioner of Police Olanrewaju Ishola, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to intervene in a contentious land dispute in the community.
The land dispute at 47 old Ogba road, involves the Agege local government and a former deputy speaker of the Ogun state House of Assembly, Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, and his wife.
In separate petitions jointly signed by community leaders, including the Olu of Agege, Oba Kamila Isiba; the Ologba of Ogba, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi; the first Executive Chairman of Agege LGA, Chief Owolabi Dada; and the Chief Imam of Agege Central Mosque, among others, the leaders urged authorities to investigate the couple’s claim to the disputed land and ensure justice prevails.
The petition, dated December 3, 2024, claimed that the land in question is part of the council’s survey plan, which extends beyond the demolished MKO Abiola Market in Agege.
Recall that Ayo-Odugbesan had previously has asked an Ikeja High Court to restrain Agege local government, others from interfering with or disturbing their peaceable possession of their property situated at No. 47, old Ogba road, near M.K.O Abiola Market, Agege, Lagos.
He also asked the court to restrain the respondents from further demolishing their property.
While acknowledging the couple’s right to seek legal redress over the land, the leaders strongly condemned the alleged use of harassment, blackmail, and intimidation tactics against council officials.
They warned that such actions could provoke unrest in Agege.
The Agege leaders, however, urged law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies and other security agencies to avoid being used to harass council officials who are performing their duties.
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The petition partly reads:
“We are aware that the couple has dragged the council to court on the matter. While we welcome that, the harassment of council officials, particularly the Chairman of Agege local government, Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, by security agents is unwarranted and capable of escalating into full-scale trouble, violence, and destruction of lives and property.
“The false intelligence being spread about the council chairman, his wife, and their children is equally troubling. We humbly request a thorough investigation of the title documents presented by both parties to ascertain the rightful owner of the disputed land. We also urge the relevant authorities to caution security officers to stop harassment of council officials.”
In a separate petition to the General Overseer of the RCCG, the leaders urged the General Overseer of Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adeboye and the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intervene in the matter.