Traditional Ruler Demands Settlement for Disputed Land, Surulere Residents Alarmed

Residents and landlords in Surulere area of Lagos State are expressing fear over the potential takeover of their properties as the traditional ruler of Onikate of Ikate, Oba Lateef Adams, demanded settlement for a disputed land in the area. The alarm was raised by a resident, Mr Emmanuel Asuquo, who reported that some young men marked the walls of many houses for takeover, citing a court order. The marked houses are on Alhaji Masha Road down to Adelabu, Bola Shadipe, Okanlawon Ajayi, and Oyelowo Close, among others.

Mr Maduka Obi, another resident, noted that the court ruling dated back to the 1970s, and the landowners had not made any attempt to assert their ownership of the land until now. He engaged the men who came to mark the buildings and was directed to a notice that instructed them to call some numbers and follow their directives. Some lawyers in the community then went to court and applied for the particular judgment that was being referred to.

A copy of the court judgment obtained showed it was delivered by Justice Olusan Bada of the Lagos State High Court in suit No 18/118/68 on November 10, 1975, with one of the plaintiffs identified as Kasali Idewu and one of the defendants as Ayisatu Yaya. The judgment was affirmed by a ruling delivered by Justice M.A. Lawal of the Ikeja Judicial Division of the High Court of Lagos State on December 9, 2022.

Reacting to the development, the monarch stated that there was no intention to take over the land, but to seek settlements. He clarified that what he sought was for homeowners and landlords on the land to bring their papers and sit down with the government and discuss the issue. Oba Lateef Adams emphasized that once there was cooperation, there would be no problem, and the issue was open for discussion.

The marked buildings' owners are expressing anxiety over the development and seek clarification from the traditional ruler and the Lagos State government. They are also requesting that the government intervenes in the matter and protect their properties from illegal takeover or demolition.