Lagos Monarch, Adeniyi Ajayi Demolishes Septuagenarian’s 24-Year-Old Property In Ikorodu After Claiming To Have Sold It, Says ‘Neither God Nor Gov’t Can Challenge Action’

Chief Adeniyi Ajayi, a traditional ruler, the Eletu of Oke-Eletu in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, has been accused of forcefully taking over a landed property belonging to a septuagenarian Mrs. Olaitan Ogunseye.

The property, located at Chris Aghanenu Street, Eyita, Ikorodu, was purchased by Mrs. Ogunseye 24 years ago. However, in July 2024, Ajayi’s representative, Kazeem Kolawole (also known as Baale Eja), demanded N2.5 million from Mrs. Ogunseye, claiming it was for ‘ratification of ownership’.

Despite efforts to persuade the traditional ruler to reconsider the excessive demand, Chief Ajayi reportedly responded by claiming he had already sold the land, boldly stating that “not even God, the Lagos State Government, or the Judiciary” could contest his actions.

He then proceeded to demolish part of the property in July. Mrs. Ogunseye, who possesses documentation proving her ownership since the early 2000s, expressed outrage and shock at Ajayi’s attempts to intimidate her.

Upon returning from her travels, Mrs. Ogunseye discovered a building project on her land and was subsequently summoned by Chief Ajayi.

She alleged that the monarch claimed he had previously demanded N400,000 from community members to validate their ownership, but since she was absent, he was now demanding N2.5 million from her.

“He told me that he would frustrate me if I initiate a court case and vowed to deal with me. He even threatened to kill me,” she said. “He bragged to have sold the land and that neither God, the Lagos State Government, nor the Judiciary can challenge his action.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ogunseye has filed a petition with Lawal Pedro, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, seeking redress.

In her petition, she accused Chief Ajayi of intimidating her with threats of “charm, kidnapping, and even death” if she dared to challenge his actions or pursue any course of action contrary to his demands.

“Our client is a tax-paying resident of Lagos State and the beneficiary owner and in possession of the property at Chris Aghanenu Street, Eyita, Ikorodu, Lagos,” the petition signed by her counsel, Tomilola Adeniji reads.

“Our client became seized of the property via a Deed of Conveyance between the Mushade Odugate Family of Majolagbe Family and our client dated 19th of October 1977.

“The Deed of Conveyance was signed by Alhaji Haruna Saka (Family Head), Alhaji Sita Saka (Secretary), Mr Lasisi Saka (Treasurer), and Mr Kehinde Saka (Trustee).

“Our client has maintained absolute ownership over the property and has partially developed a portion of the property.

“Sometime in July 2024, our client was invited by Chief Ajayi through his emissary, Kazeem Kolawole (Baale Eja) to ratify her ownership by paying the sum of N2,500,000 (Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), having failed to pay the initial ratification fee of N400,000.

“Our client informed us, and we verily believe the same to be true, that our client was never contacted to pay the initial N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira).

“Our client has battled cancer which she has treated on three different occasions in the past few years.

“Entreaties were made to Chief Ajayi to negotiate the punitive and ill-conceived N2,500,000, which, instead of considering, he blurted out that he has sold the land and neither God, the Lagos State Government, nor the Judiciary can challenge his action.”

“To show that he meant what he said, the building on the encroached property was demolished allegedly on the order of Ajayi.

“Our client is of the firm opinion that the deliberate and calculated action of Chief Ajayi contravenes Section 2 of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, and in particular, Section 2(1) of the Law, which prohibits the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any landed property or engage in any act inconsistent with the proprietary rights of the owner of any landed property in Lagos.

“Given the Lagos State Government’s much-celebrated zero-tolerance stance regarding land grabbing in the State, our client being a law-abiding and tax-paying resident of the state, prays thus: ‘The protection of her life from the land-grabbing Chief Ajayi and his hired thugs and assailants; the protection of our client’s property and compensation for the demolished property; and your urgent intervention to avoid a complete breakdown of law and order.”

When reached for comment, Chief Ajayi denied the allegations, portraying himself as a law-abiding citizen.

He asserted that the disputed land is currently entangled in legal proceedings, with multiple court judgments pertaining to the area where the land is located

Last updated on September 13th, 2024 at 10:02 pm