By Lukman Olabiyi
A Lagos monarch, Alado of Ado Kingdom, Amuwo Odofin, Local Government, Lagos, Oba Lateef Olayinka Ado, has accused the Federal Government, its agency, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and others of harassment and trespass, despite a pending suit over ownership of a parcel of land at the Abule Ado area of the state.
The monarch, who spoke through his secretary, Prince Eniola Adeshina Ado, said as a result of the tussle over ownership of the land, a suit was filed against Dave Victor, Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the sole Registered Trustee and Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, FHA, Lagos State Government and a person unknown before the state High Court in Badagry.
In the suit pending before Justice Obafemi Adamson, Oba Ado, Chief Jimoh, Prince Rafiu Ado, Chief Ayodele Olaitan Saliu and Chief Sulaimon Surajudeen were listed as claimants.
The claimants are praying the court to declare as follows: “That Ado Family, now Ado Royal Family, are owners by first settlement of the land situate lying and referred to as Abule Ado or Ado village, now renamed as Community IV, Phase 11, Festival Town, Abule Ado Town, bounded by Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Festival Town, off Lagos Badagry Expressway, Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State.
“A declaration that the claimants’ family, as original owners, are entitled to recover possession of the piece or parcel of land occupied by the first, second and fifth defendants known as Abule Ado or Ado village now renamed as Community IV, Phase 11, Festival Town, Abule Ado Town, bounded by Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Festival Town, off Lagos Badagry Expressway, Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State.
“A declaration that the land purportedly acquired by the FHA through the Lagos State Government for Festac “77 project from the claimants, does not form or extend to portion or part of the claimants land known as Abule Ado or Ado village, now renamed as Community IV, Phase 11, Festival Town, Abule Ado Town, bounded by Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Festival Town, Lagos Badagry Expressway, Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State”.
In addition, the monarch and others are also asking the court for an order setting aside the purported allocation by the FHA to the first, second and fifth defendants’ portion of the claimants’ land and take possession. Besides, the claimants are demanding damages of N50 million from the defendants.
In their statement, the claimants detailed how they became owners of the land in dispute. Meanwhile, hearing in the suit has been fixed for November 29, 2022.