3rd November, 2010
Residents of 15 and 23 Olufemi Ogunsola Street, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, have called on the Lagos State government and the Police authorities to rescue them from some individuals who have illegally demolished their houses.
The illegal demolition went on in spite of petitions to the Lagos State Police Commissioner and the Area Commander of Area ‘G’ under which the area falls.
According to Victor Emafolomi who lived in the building before the demolition, the land was bought by the Emafolami family from the family of the late Chief Salako in 1977.
But in 2005, the family of Dr. David Moroundiya, who claimed to be a member of the family of the late Chief Salako, told the Emafolami family that they needed to re-purchase the property.
Victor Emafolomi alleged that he paid the Moroundiya family N300,000 through their lawyer, Victor Kolade.
He further explained that after the N300,000 was paid, the Moroundiya family came again this year with the aim of taking possession of the land, and, “it was then that we went to the court in September.â€
The case was taken before Justice R. I.B. Adebiyi at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja Judicial Division on 20 September, 2010 and a court injunction was placed on said property pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
But two days later, on 22 September, some people were alleged to have arrived at the premises at about 5a.m. in the company of some armed men and started demolishing the houses on the land.
“Some people with dangerous weapons came and started breaking down our houses with sledge hammer. They told us that the action is the family’s decision, as they cannot wait for the court’s conclusion,†one of the hapless residents said.
The residents also said when they reported the incident at Area G Police Division no action was taken. Rather, the policemen allegedly demanded for N30,000 before they could make any move.
—Dedeigbo Ayodeji
