The Lagos State Government has described as unwarranted and illegal, the recent invasion of Magodo Phase II by some landowners under the Shangisha Landlord Association led by one Chief Adebayo Adeyiga and stern-looking policemen, in purported execution of a Supreme Court judgement and vowed to prosecute those involved.
This is as the state government revealed that the execution was carried out by unknown Bailiffs as the Sherriff of the High Court of Lagos where the Judgment emanated were not responsible for the purported execution that was carried out on December 21, 2021, at Magodo.
This disclosure is contained in a public statement issued and signed by the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), where he expressed serious concerns over the action of one of the judgement creditors, Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, who misled the Nigeria Police in the invasion.
Onigbanjo maintained that the judgment of the Supreme Court was not in respect of declaration of title and the Supreme Court did not in any way grant title to land to the judgment creditors.
He insisted that the judgment creditors had no claim for possession, and none was granted as no survey plan was tendered before the court adding that the judgment was not affixed to any land anywhere and only declared that the judgment creditors were entitled to allocation of land from the state government
What the Lagos State Attorney General is saying
The statement from Onigbanjo partly reads, ‘’On the 21st of December, 2021, it was reported through social media platforms that the Shangisha Landlords Association with stern-looking Policemen took over Magodo Area of Lagos State in purported execution of a Supreme Court judgment.
‘’It is a known fact that judgment was delivered in 2012 by the Supreme Court in Military Governor of Lagos State & Ors. Vs. Adebayo Adeyiga & Ors in Appeal No: SC/112/2002 wherein the Apex court affirmed the judgment of Court of Appeal and High Court delivered on the 31st December, 1993 in Suit No: ID/795/88.
‘’Several attempts by the State Government to resolve the matter amicably have been on even before the judgment of the Supreme Court was delivered. It is therefore not surprising that the Supreme Court held on page 27 of the judgment thus; this Court appreciates the magnanimity of the Lagos State Government in the proposals to effect an amicable settlement of this matter. The ball is now in the court of the counsel to the respondents who has a statutory duty to advise them properly to give the government their maximum co-operation in the execution of this judgment.
‘’The State Government engaged the Judgment Creditors between 2012 – 2015 and made proposal to re-allocate land to the Judgment Creditors at Magotho Residential Scheme within Badagry Area which was rejected by Chief Adebayo Adeyiga but majority of the Judgment Creditors led by Yemi Ogunshola, Jelili Yaya and Adeleke Adefala accepted the offer.
‘’Due to division within the Judgment Creditors, another round of settlement was initiated in 2016 which culminated in the proposal to re-allocate the Judgment Creditors to Ibeju Lekki Coastal Scheme situate at Ibeju/Lekki which was also rejected by Chief Adebayo Adeyiga.
‘’Subsequent to the rejection, the State Government has been in dialogue with majority of the Judgment Creditors from 2019 with a view to reach a concession towards implementing the Judgment.
‘’Noteworthy also is the pending application for interlocutory injunction dated 1st December 2020 before the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/L/1005A/2018 seeking an order restraining Chief Adebayo Adeyiga and others (including their agents, servants privies or howsoever called, particularly the Police) from entering into, giving direction, taking possession or in any manner disturbing the quiet enjoyment of property owners in Magodo Residential Area Scheme.
‘’The Lagos State Government has equally observed that the execution was carried out by unknown Bailiffs as the Sherriff of the High Court of Lagos where the Judgment emanated were not responsible for the purported execution carried out on the 21st December 2021 at Magodo.
‘’The purported execution is therefore contrary to Order 8 Rule 17 of the Supreme Court Rules 2014 and Section 37 of the Enforcement of Judgment and Orders Part iii of the Sherriff and Civil Process Act, LFN, 2004.
‘’The Judgment before the Supreme Court was not in respect of declaration of title and the Supreme Court did not in any way grant title to land to the Judgment Creditors. The Judgment Creditors had no claim for possession and none was granted as no survey plan was tendered before the Court. The judgment is not affixed to any land anywhere and only declared that the Judgment Creditors are entitled to allocation of land from the State Government.
‘’The State Government is therefore dismayed by the action of Chief Adebayo Adeyiga (one of the Judgment Creditors) who misled the Nigeria Police in attempting execution of the Judgment notwithstanding the pending Appeal against the issuance of warrant of possession by the then Chief Judge of Lagos State on 16th March 2017.
‘’The State Government enjoins the general public to remain calm especially Residents of Magodo Residential Area, while investigation into the unwarranted incident is being carried out with a view to prosecuting any person found culpable. The Lagos State Government has the high regard for the rule of law and will protect the interests of all parties.’’
What you should know
Recall that about 2 days ago, businesses and residents living at Magodo phase 2 estate area of Lagos woke up to a lockdown of the estate preventing them from going to their places of work following a court injunction in favour of landowners, under the Shangisha Landlord Association.
According to information gathered by Nairametrics, the lockdown was necessitated by the management of the estate to stop Landowners from driving around the estate with policemen and thugs to disrupt construction activities within the estate.