After a lengthy land struggle of over four decades, the Lagos State Government has allotted a land to the members of Shangisha Landlords Association, Magodo, giving the optimism of the affected property owners who have spent years trying to implement their rights.
Among those who spoke on the issue were the chairman of the association, Chief Adebayo Adeyiga; Baale of Shangisha, Yusuf Mutiu Ogundare; and Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikiru Adeyiga, who is one of the judgement creditors.
But they called on the government to provide basic infrastructure such as access roads and other basic utilities to make the assigned land habitable and developable, Daily Independent writes.
Stakeholders said they were thankful to be alive to witness progress in the dispute after a meeting to discuss the allocation. They claimed many of the original landowners who began the legal action had died and their descendants were carrying on the fight.
They argued that the death of the original claimants would not dampen their will to reclaim the land and resources their parents had toiled for all their lives.
Adeyiga said the distribution was a moment of delight especially for those that had suffered the lengthy drawn-out argument.
“I’m so glad to be alive. So many of us who began this lawsuit are gone. Their youngsters have been communicating only. “We are not going to say because they have died, we should do away with the resources they laboured for when they were alive,” he added.
Adeyiga said the affected landowners would not turn down the government’s offer, despite conflicting views on the location and the additional resources required to make it habitable, amid worries about the suitability of the allotted site.
He said the state government was duty bound to provide the required facilities in view of the Supreme Court judgement in favour of the judgement creditors.
“We are not going to decline the land. The government knows it has lost the case. “The resources are there, it should provide what is required to make the land habitable for the people,” he said.
Adeyiga also voiced concern that the dispute had persisted for years after the Supreme Court’s judgement in 2012.
He called on the Lagos State administration to guarantee legal pronouncements especially those of the Supreme Court are respected and executed without delay.
He said the protracted legal battle raises problems about compliance with judgements and whether parties to litigation can secure the advantages of favourable judicial pronouncements.
I have mentioned that but it seems to go over people’s heads. “There are some people in Nigeria trying to build up the justice system and there are some people pulling it down,” he remarked. Buy Maps
Adeyiga noted that the problem was not necessarily the absence of a justice system but the reluctance of some people to accept the conclusions of the system especially when the issue involves a person with great power or resources.
There is already a judicial system, but people don’t want to follow it. “People use power to get other people’s property by means of influence or money,” he remarked.
He urged the government to take the required steps to fully implement the judgement and guarantee that the impacted landowners benefitted from the court’s decision.
The Baale of Shangisha, Ogundare, also praised the distribution, saying it was a positive outcome in the long-drawn conflict involving the landowners and other interests in the area.
Ogundare and Oba Sikiru Adeyiga appreciated the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) and the Inspector-General of Police for their intervention in the situation.
They said the allocation was a step forward in settling a disagreement that had dragged on for years, and they hoped the rest of the process could be completed without additional delay.
Deji Fasusi, one of the counsel representing the judgement creditors, also thanked the Lagos State government for giving land to the aggrieved property owners in compliance of the Supreme Court judgement.
“This is a victory for the rule of law,” Fasusi said. “All along, the judgement creditors have been seeking the enforcement of the judgement of the court.
He called on the government to sustain the process by providing enough site services and supporting infrastructure especially access roads to enable the beneficiaries to develop their plots.
The lawyer also urged for the rapid finalisation of the outstanding allocations under the next phase of the exercise, stating there had to be a smooth and orderly transition.
Fasusi urged the affected residents to remain calm and patient while the process continued, and to collaborate with the government to achieve effective conclusion of the pending allocations.
But the judgement creditors were thrilled that the Supreme Court’s ruling that they had spent years trying to enforce was finally being enforced, he said.
“We are happy because we are seeing the victory of the rule of law. “And what we have been fighting for all along is that there is a judgement from the Supreme Court and it has now become law. “Respect it,” he said.
“While the judgement did not attract the kind of attention the creditors expected earlier, the state government had now taken steps to translate the court’s decision to a practical outcome through the allocation of land in Magodo,” Fasusi said.
He extended gratitude to the governor, members of the state executive council and Nigerians who had called for the compliance with the Supreme Court judgement.
“We can only say we are thankful to the governor and cabinet members. “We are also grateful to all Nigerians who have always clamoured for the rule of law to prevail and for the Supreme Court’s judgement concerning this land in Magodo to be given pride of place,” he said.
Fasusi stressed the need to recognise and uphold the implementation of the judgement as a vital step toward settling the issue.
Earlier in Alausa, the Lagos State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr Hameed Oyenuga, met with judgement creditors on behalf of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Pedro.
The meeting saw Oyenuga showing the landowners a map of the assigned area, detailing how the allocation was done and outlining the portions of land meant for distribution.
The presentation was meant to enable the beneficiaries to comprehend the location and distribution process as the government proceeds with the allocation exercise.
The land allocation has been a relief to the concerned owners but their representatives have said that the process should be finished by providing the necessary infrastructure and handing over the outstanding plots.
For the judgement creditors, the development is more than an allocation of land. It is a long-awaited opportunity to witness a Supreme Court ruling converted into a tangible result after years of litigation and the loss of many of the initial claimants.
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