Land matter: Community raises alarm over alleged demolition of properties by privately owned company in Ogun state

The residents of Kajola in Mowe community along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Obafemi-Owode Local Government area of Ogun State have raised alarm over alleged demolition of their houses and other properties by a privately owned company.

Penpushing reports that the community lead by Chief Taiwo Atanda (Baale Kajola) cried out to Governor Dapo Abiodun while speaking with journalists over the said ugly development, adding that they woke up one day to see the authority of the said company to embark on demolition of their properties under the claim that the expanse land in the affected area had been sold to them.

The community head claimed that contrary to the company’s claim the village has a court judgment over the ownership of the land, adding that the residents were in shock when some policemen and Task Force officers, including street urchins, stormed the scene with 5 excavators to destroy uncompleted buildings , churches, houses in the community.

Penpushing further reports that the community alleged that a commissioner in the state led the company to carry out the exercise which they regarded as illegal and unlawful, passionately calling on the Governor to come to their aide before situation get out of hands.

The village head lamented that it was regrettable that the company leadership in connivance with some Ministry officials carried out the dastardly act, despite a warranty of possession issued to the family by the court.

Penpushing also reports that Atanda while expressing worry over the sudden development said living has become unbearable for the residents, since the company authorities stormed the community on the demolition exercise.

The Baale alleged that some officials of the Physical and Urban Planning, alongside political office holders were among those who gave the demolition order,  by barring the family from securing application for building permit from the Ministry.

Penpushing reports that he said despite explanation to the company of the court judgement, when they came for demolition of some of the structures on November, 25, 2022, the company still threaten to come back and continue the demolition.

The community head, who described the incident as heinous and uncalled for, asked that those who perpetrated the act should be brought to book interested in welfare of the governed, adding that he was sure that the Governor was not in the know of the exercise.

‘We are sure that the Governor is not in the know of the illegality. We are not here to cause chaos. What we want is for the law to prevail. We are going to insist on every inch of our land coming back to us because the judgement of the court is in our favour’, he emphasised.

The Baale said the demolition so far carried out is running to millions of naira loss, adding that having contacted the Ministry of Lands, Town Planning and Cheiftaincy Affairs  over the issues, the community was yet to get a response from the leadership

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