…seek Sanwo-Olu, IGP’s intervention
Stakeholders in Agege local government have called for a thorough investigation into land ownership claims by former Ogun state deputy speaker, Edward Ayo-Odugbesan, and his wife, regarding a disputed property at 47 Old Ogba Road, Lagos.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, November 27, at the Palace of the Olu of Agege, Chief Oluwole Dada, the first Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, spoke on behalf of the stakeholders.
He said that the Ayo-Odugbesans had illegally built the now-demolished Edwards Private School on land legally owned by the council.
The stakeholders asserted that they had firsthand knowledge of the council’s acquisition of the disputed land, which also included the former MKO Abiola Market.
They dismissed the couple’s claims as baseless, accusing them of relying on a “bogus survey plan and certificate of occupancy” to support their case.
Recall that Ayo-Odugbesan had previously reported in the media that he sent a message on WhatsApp to Egunjobi showing the building’s documents to prove that they own the property, adding that despite receiving the messages, the chairman reportedly went ahead to demolish the property.
While welcoming the couple’s decision to pursue legal redress, the stakeholders strongly criticized their alleged tactics of harassment, blackmail, and intimidation against council officials.
They singled out Executive Chairman Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi as a particular target, praising his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the council’s interests.
The stakeholders appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene to intervene in the matter.
They urged law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to avoid being used to harass council officials who are performing their duties.
Advocating for due process, the stakeholders emphasized the importance of allowing the courts to determine the rightful ownership of the land.
“The court is the final arbiter, and it must be respected,” the statement read.
The stakeholders commended Chairman Egunjobi for his resolve to defend the council’s assets, describing the disputed property as a “prized common heritage” of the Agege community.
They pledged to stand firm in protecting the land and warned against actions that could undermine the council’s authority or disrupt peace in the area.
“This is not just a fight for the council but for the people of Agege,” the stakeholders declared, vowing to remain steadfast in ensuring justice and preserving the community’s collective interests.
In his response, Elder Rotimi Adesina, the fourth executive chairman of Agege local government, stated that the gathering aimed to highlight the council’s historical claim to the land.
He dismissed claims by Ayo-Odugbesan, as baseless, asserting that the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) presented by him was not genuine.
“The land does not belong to [Executive Chairman] Egunjobi or any council official. This matter concerns the stakeholders, and nobody can take our land. We want the court to take its course”, Adesina stressed.
A community leader, Elder Theophilus Afolabi recounted the process of acquiring the land for Agege Local Government.
“I was the one who procured that land for Agege LG,” Afolabi explained. “The area was swampy, and the council intended to use it for a market. Approval was secured from the Land Bureau, and the land was allocated to Agege LG. A CofO was issued, but some individuals later encroached on the property.”
The Ologba of Ogba, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi, a registered surveyor, also weighed in, stating that the survey plan submitted by Ayo-Odugbesan was invalid.
“I have examined the survey plans of both parties, and the one submitted by Ayo-Odugbesan is not genuine,” Egbeyemi said. “He is fighting a lost battle. As a lawyer, he should wait for the court’s judgment, which we are ready to abide by.”
The stakeholders collectively urged Ayo-Odugbesan to desist from actions that could escalate tensions and instead allow the legal process to unfold.
They reiterated their readiness to accept the court’s ruling, emphasizing that the disputed land is a communal asset of Agege Local Government and not the personal property of any council official.