Bizman alleges threat to life, petitions IG over land-grabbers



By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf


The president of the Lagos State Central Sand and Granite Suppliers Association, Lekki, Alh. Mukaila Odobudo aka MKO, has raised the 
alarm over the growing menace of land-grabbers operating within the Ibeju-Lekki axis of Lagos state and its environs.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent at the weekend, 
Odobudo said the activities of land-grabbers known in local parlance as
Ajagun-gbaales and Omo-oniles respectively, have continued to breach public
peace as well as pose serious threat to the safety and security of lives and
livelihoods.

While narrating his ordeal in the hands of some hoodlums working in connivance with some individuals within his community and households,
he alleged that some of the landed property at Oribanwa town, Ibeju-Lekki,
belonging to his late grandparents, which had since been sold were being resold to unsuspecting members of the public.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I know the position of the law about reselling landed property already sold and handed over to the buyers. 
But it saddens me to note that some members of my immediate family in
conjunction with other people have been at the vanguard of land racketeering for some time now. It got so bad that when I raised eyebrows over this evil being perpetrated by these people I became their target,” he recalled.

Confirming this development, one of the siblings of MKO, Mrs.
Ajimo Aremu told our correspondent that it was true that some members of the family had been mounting pressure on their brother to resell the landed property as they didn’t reap any benefits from the initial sales made by their late parents.

While being reminded that the move to resell the landed property could bring them in collision with the law, she said, all they seek is reward from their parents’ inheritance and nothing more.

According to the Odobudo, the nefarious activities of these land speculators is a serious cause for concern from the public and especially the law enforcement agencies as they continue to act brazenly in defiance to the law.
Pressed further, he said, after making all attempts to get him to aid their plans to no avail, the conspirators decided to use extra-legal means, hence he was compelled to speak out to the public.
In order to forestall what he described as a constant sinister threat to his life, Odobudo said he sought the advice of his lawyers and decided
to seek redress at the court of law.

In the suit No. EPD/9946/MFHR/2020 filed on June 4, 2020, under Justice J.A. Safari, at Court 1, Epe Judicial Division, the plaintiff is praying the court to get the respondents and their proxies including the Inspector
General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Alagbon, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Inspector Tunji, IPO, from harassing, arresting, and hounding him.
Besides, he urged the court to compel the 5th, 6th and 7^th respondents (Madam Selimota Yesiru, Morili Moshudi (Iya Saheed and Ajimo Aremu)
respectively to pay him the sum of N5million as damages.