The Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers yesterday warned two Isheri-Idimu families feuding over land to obey an Appeal Court order directing them to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The Task Force Coordinator, Mr. Owolabi Arole, said both parties must maintain the peace in the affected areas or answer to the law.
Arole spoke at a public hearing at the Ministry of Justice, Alausa, Ikeja, on the land tussle between the Oba of Isheri-Idimu and some communities in Alimosho Local Government.
The hearing followed a March 14 petition signed by Alhaji Shamsideen Adebimpe Lawal.
In the petition, the Ishau Olorunfunmi family urged the agency to warn a traditional ruler, Oba Wahabi Balogun, and other members of the Olofin family, to obey the motion as contained in the ruling delivered by the appellate court.
The appeal followed a judgment by Justice Lawal Akapo of the Lagos State High Court in favour of Oba Wahabi Balogun.
In the petition, the Olorunfunmi family alleged that the monarch disregarded court order by encouraging affected residents on the land to come forth for purported ratifications of their titles despite the pending order.
The petition further alleged that “They have continuously encroached on the lands and properties of our clients and other Idimu residents, causing chaos and destructions in their wake by illegally evicting them form same and transferring title to innocent third parties who are unaware of the status of the pending appeal and the order of the court that status quo be maintained.
“It is in this light that our client humbly and respectfully ask that you set the instrumentality of your office in motion by investigating these claims and prosecuting the respondents if found guilty as alleged.”
At the public hearing, Arole warned the families to obey the resolution of the court, urging them to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Arole, who noted that the decision was based on the need to maintain peace in the area, urged the monarch and his family to desist from further causing damages to the property of the petitioner, Alhaji Shamsideen Lawal, and others living on the disputed land.
He said: “The government would not tolerate any breach of peace or any intimidation and destruction of property. Violators would be visited with the full wrath of the law.
“Order made by court of competent jurisdiction must be obeyed, and violators, no matter how highly placed, would be arrested and prosecuted for breach of peace.”
But the Olofin chieftaincy family denied that its members had been disrespecting the court ruling. Those present included representatives of Olorunfunmi and Abisuwa families who were represented by Alfa Agbogunloko, Chief Shakiru Olorunfunmi and their lawyer represented Olorunfunmi Madarukan, Pa. Amusa Ajasin the head of Abisiwa family represented Abisiwa while Alhaji Gazah and Haruna represented Aro (Omotosisha families).
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