Lagos Oba set to seize 300 houses, owners protest

The Onikate of Ikate, Surulere, Lagos, Oba Lateef Atanda Adams, is claiming ownership of the entire land measuring 315.9 acres in the enclave, which has caused panic among homeowners, property owners, and other residents of Surulere neighbourhoods covering Masha Roundabout, Adelabu Road, and some inner streets.

The marking "IKD/288/68 possession taken today 30/3/2923 by court" has been placed on no fewer than 300 buildings that are located within the land area.

On the grounds that the state government did not compensate the family/original proprietors when the land was acquired nearly 40 years ago, as required by the Land Use Act, of 1978, Oba Adams is threatening to recapture the entire land from the current occupants.

According to him, the current landowners did not acknowledge or purchase the property from the family directly, and as a result, they must show the receipts or other documentation pertaining to such property and enter into new agreements with the family.

Oba Adams is relying on a ruling made by Justice Olusan Bada of the Lagos State High Court in case no. 18/118/68 between Kasali Idewu and ORS V. Ayisatu Yaya and ORS on November 10, 1975. In this ruling, Justice Bada declared land measuring 315.9 acres as captured by survey plan number "AGW/263" to the defendants/judgment creditors. This ruling was upheld by the decision made by Justice M.

Owners of the impacted property were urged by the traditional leader to come with whatever supporting documentation they may have in order to speed up a settlement.

Oba Adams said: “They should let us sit down and settle this thing before it gets out of hand. They should come to regularise with us. They cannot win in court. They should come or else I will demolish everything. We need their cooperation. Let the government call me so that we can have a roundtable.”

One of the residents, Tunde Oladeji, recalled what actually transpired: "Last week, some individuals accompanied by about 50 men from the Mobile Police force entered the neighbourhood, pasted posters, and marked buildings with the message "Possession Taken."

According to him, most locals were uneasy about the scenario. He pleaded with the government, which he said was responsible for allocating the land in the first place, to help them.

Oladeji claims that more than 300 homes are impacted.

“These are houses that were built as far back as 1972. All of these houses have been stamped with notices. There is no copy of the said court judgment. They are picketing houses at Masha axis with zinc and metal sheets,” he said.