Two members of the house of representatives from Lagos state have demanded that Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami be investigated over an alleged role in the planned demolition of Magodo estate phase two.
Residents of the estate embarked on a protest yesterday January 4, following threats of demolition over a supreme court verdict which ordered the state government to give landlords whose properties were demolished in Shangisha village between 1984 and 1985, 549 plots of land as a “matter of first priority”.
The state government has maintained that Shangisha landlords cannot lay claim to land at the Magodo estate as the matter only relates to “allocation” and not “possession”.
Ademorin Kuye of Somolu federal constituency and Rotimi Agunsoye representing Kosofe federal constituency who reacted to the recent threat of demolition stated that the alleged involvement of Malami and IGP Usman Alkali Baba in the case should be probed.
The lawmakers accused the Attorney General of the Federation of destabilizing Lagos State by using his office to back this illegality as a meddlesome interloper. They also asked that the house of representatives sanction any public office holder found culpable.
“Cognizant that several attempts have been made by the Lagos state government from 2012-2015, to settle the matter amicably making different engagements with the judgment creditors presenting a proposal for reallocation in the Magotho Residential Scheme within the Badagry area of the state which some of them accepted.
Informed that the Lagos state government again in 2016 initiated a settlement to reallocate Ibeju Lekki Coastal Scheme located in the Ibeju Lekki area but this was rejected by the lead plaintiff, Chief Adebayo Adeyiga, as the government continue to dialogue with the majority of the judgment creditors to reach a concession towards implementing the judgment
Worried that despite the ongoing settlement efforts and the pendency of an interlocutory injunction dated Dec 1st 2020 before the court of appeal seeking an order restraining him and his agents, Chief Adeyiga purportedly encouraged by the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police stormed the estate with unknown bailiffs and armed security operatives to execute a judgment that was purportedly delivered by Lagos high court.
Worried that the execution being presently executed through the office of the AGF with the connivance of the IGP is illegal as only the Lagos state Deputy Sheriff can execute same and not thugs aided by policemen.
More worried that the highhandedness and reckless show of force on the 5th of December, 2021 and the 4th day of January, 2022, in Magodo by Chief Adeyiga and his cohorts in blatant disregard to Order 8 Rule 17 of the Supreme Court Rules 2014 and Section 37 of the Enforcement of Judgment and Order Part III of the Sherriff and Civil Process Act, LFN 2004 can lead to loss of lives and properties and ultimately the breakdown of law and order.
mandate the house committees on justice, public petition and Police to investigate the involvement of the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police in the attempt to destabilize the peace of Lagos state, scuttle the ongoing settlement process and enforce illegality.
The house should mandate committees on justice, public petition and Police to investigate the involvement of the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police in the attempt to destabilize the peace of Lagos state, scuttle the ongoing settlement process and enforce illegality.
The house should also recommend appropriate sanction for any officer found culpable in the illegal enforcement and break down of law and order”.
