Nigeria: Lagos Family Seeks Sanwo-Olu, Police Intervention in Land Dispute

The Ogunnusi Oloko family of Arapagi-Oloko Village in Lagos State's Ibeju-Lekki area has appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop illegal land sales, protect genuine buyers and safeguard their communal land.

The family also urged the Lagos State Police Command to investigate allegations of impersonation, forgery and fraudulent collection of money linked to land fraud in the fast-growing coastal region.

The family, which issued a press statement, claimed that its actions seek to defend ancestral land and prevent conflicts which could threaten peace in the community, which is experiencing rapid real estate development.

They accused one Sakiru Toyin Ganiyu of allegedly falsely presenting himself as the head of the family and selling communal land without authorisation.

The family said a review of documents filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) allegedly shows Ganiyu's name is not listed among the registered trustees or main officers of the Ogunnusi Oloko Family Association, established in 2013.

They further stated that the CAC records recognise family heads and trustees, such as Elder Mumuni Adebola Oloko, who is acknowledged as the Family Head.

In a petition earlier sent to the Paramount Ruler of Ibeju Land, Oba Waliu Olasunkanmi Oniwolu, and now forwarded to the state authorities, the family accused Ganiyu of allegedly signing the signatures of senior members falsely and collecting large sums from land buyers.

A formal resolution from the family association also warned against illegal land deals and stated plans to prosecute those involved.

This activity persisted despite earlier warnings and internal efforts to curb it.

The family further claimed Ganiyu recently petitioned the Lagos State Attorney-General against senior family members, describing the claims as groundless and an attempt to validate controversial land transactions.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts by our correspondent to obtain Ganiyu's response have been unsuccessful, as he has not responded to the allegations, and officials from the Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police have not yet issued official comments.

Read the original article on Leadership.