Kakalistiq.com reports that Indigenous members of the Oko-Olomi community in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area staged a peaceful protest in their community over a land dispute that has dragged on for nearly a decade. The demonstration was not only a means to voice their grievances but also an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in facilitating their return to their properties.
The protesters urged the Federal Government and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enforce a court ruling that mandates the restoration of order in the community.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Barr. Oludare Adesanya, Esq., alongside Barr. Anthony Sidi, Esq., both legal representatives of the community, stressed the need to uphold the rule of law.
“We are holding this peaceful protest to remind the world that we obtained an interlocutory injunction against Toll System Development, restraining them from selling or interfering with our land,” Barr. Adesanya stated.
He expressed shock that despite the court order issued by Justice Safari in 2017, Toll System Development continued to allocate land in defiance of the injunction.
“They never appealed the ruling, yet they persist in violating it. We, as law-abiding citizens, will follow due legal processes. However, while the case is still in court, no one should be selling our land or demolishing our houses,” he added.
He further called on the IGP, Commissioner of Police (CP) Lagos, and the Governor of Lagos State to ensure that all parties respect the court’s decision and maintain peace.
The Baale of Oko-Olomi, Chief Murido Lateef Eleku, who was present at the protest, narrated the long history of the land dispute.
According to him, the matter dates back to April 16, 2016, when suspected land grabbers, allegedly led by Ganiu Owoeye, invaded their community on a Sunday morning, demolishing houses and reportedly killing some residents, all without a valid court order.
Chief Eleku explained that despite securing interim and interlocutory injunctions in 2017, community members were forcefully barred from returning to their land.
However, he expressed gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Fakorede, and the IGP Monitoring Team for investigating the matter and helping them reclaim their properties.
“We are poor people. We have suffered for years. But we thank the IGP and his team for their intervention. We can only hope that justice is finally served so we can live in peace,” he said.
The protest concluded with renewed calls for government authorities to enforce the court ruling and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
