IGP Report Clears Businessman, Recommends Prosecution of Ogun Monarch, Others Over Ajah Land Dispute

IGP Report Clears Businessman, Recommends Prosecution of Ogun Monarch, Others Over Ajah Land Dispute

By Naomi Onome

The Nigeria Police Force has recommended the prosecution of the Osobia of Ijebu Makun-Omi in Ogun State, Oba Kazeem Salami, popularly known as “All Rounder,” and other individuals over alleged land grabbing and the unlawful sale of disputed property in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

The recommendation is contained in an investigative report by the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, which also cleared businessman, Dr. Ken Uwaifo, and Stanley Oripelaiye of allegations linking them to the demolition of buildings on the disputed Happy World/Happy Land Estate.

Despite the findings, those recommended for prosecution have reportedly not been arraigned.

The case originated from a petition dated September 8, 2016, filed by Barrister Akanbi Saka Abdulkadir on behalf of the Fatimot Sosan Ope family of Odo-Enikin Village, Ajah. The petition accused Dr. Uwaifo and Oripelaiye of conspiracy, malicious damage, and threats to life, prompting the matter to be referred to the IGP Monitoring Unit for investigation.

According to the police report, the disputed property comprises Plots 13, 28, 43, 58, and 73 within the Happy World/Happy Land Estate. Investigators found that the land had been lawfully acquired by Cosmopolitan Properties Limited through a court-ordered public auction conducted on November 5, 1993, before subsequently being purchased by Dr. Uwaifo.

The report further stated that members of the Fatimot Sosan Ope family failed to present any valid title documents establishing ownership of the land.

On the issue of the demolished structures, investigators concluded that neither Dr. Uwaifo nor Oripelaiye was responsible. The report attributed the demolition to the occupants’ failure to obtain the required building approvals and development permits.

Rather than indicting the petitioned parties, the police accused the petitioners of unlawfully entering and attempting to take possession of the land, actions it described as capable of causing a breach of public peace.

Describing the petition as “unsubstantiated, diversionary and an attempt to use the Police to continue unlawful occupation and illegal sale” of the property, the IGP Monitoring Unit recommended that those involved be prosecuted for criminal conspiracy, wilful damage, giving false information, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, forcible entry, and forcible possession under relevant provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The report also advised that the Lagos State Property Protection Law, commonly known as the Anti-Land Grabbing Law, should be considered in addressing the activities of those allegedly involved in the illegal occupation and sale of the land.

Investigators recommended forwarding the case file to the Commissioner of Police, Legal Section, for legal advice before prosecution.

The report further advised the petitioners that if they believed the demolition of their structures was unlawful, they should seek redress through the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development or pursue their claims before a competent civil court instead of resorting to self-help.

The investigation followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police contained in a letter dated October 3, 2017, while the final report was submitted at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on October 6, 2017.

Although the police findings effectively cleared Dr. Uwaifo and Oripelaiye of criminal liability, PM Express gathered that while the matter was eventually filed before a court, proceedings have since stalled.

Efforts to obtain comments from Oba Kazeem Salami were unsuccessful as he could not be reached before the publication of this report.