OKO OLOMI RESIDENTS PROTEST ILLEGAL LAND ALLOCATION DESPITE COURT INJUNCTION
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The indigenous people of Oko Olomi town in Ibeju-Lekki, led by their legal representative, Mr. Anthony Sidi, staged a peaceful protest to condemn the continued allocation of their ancestral land by Toll System Development, despite an existing interlocutory injunction barring any further transactions on the disputed property.
During the demonstration, a legal practitioner accompanying the community expressed outrage over what he described as a “flagrant abuse” of the judicial system, referencing the 2017 ruling by Honorable Justice Safaree, which legally restrained Toll System Development from selling, alienating, or altering the land while the case remains in court.
“To our greatest surprise, despite the injunction, Toll System Development continues to allocate our land in direct defiance of the court’s ruling,” the legal representative stated. “Whether they are satisfied with the ruling or not, they have no legal right to ignore it. Instead, they have chosen to violate it with impunity.”
The Oko Olomi community reiterated their commitment to the rule of law, emphasizing that while they would abide by the final judgment of the court, they would not tolerate further encroachment or destruction of their homes. They urged the federal and state governments, as well as law enforcement agencies, to uphold the judicial ruling.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, and the Lagos State Government to intervene and ensure compliance with the court’s ruling. No one should attempt to sell, allocate, or demolish any structure on this land while the case is still in court,” the representative added.
The protestors extended their gratitude to the Nigerian Police Force for maintaining peace in the area but called for stricter enforcement of the court order. They also highlighted a similar case in Ita Panpa town, where an injunction has allegedly been ignored, leading to further disputes.
“We are crying out to the world, to Nigeria, to uphold justice and prevent any breakdown of law and order,” a spokesperson for the group emphasized.
Community Leader Recounts Years of Land Disputes and Struggle for Justice
Speaking at a press conference, Muridu Lateef Eleku, the Baale of Oko Olomi, recounted a long and painful legal battle over land rights that has affected multiple families and communities. He expressed deep gratitude to the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Ego Dokun, for their efforts in restoring justice.
According to Eleku, the land dispute began on April 16, 2016, when a group identified as Gani Gabba, allegedly a network of land grabbers, invaded Oko Olomi and surrounding areas. The attackers reportedly demolished homes and committed acts of violence, displacing several residents.
“We saw them at around 8 AM. They invaded our community, demolished our houses, and even killed some people without a court order,” Eleku recounted. He stated that the affected families—spanning Okun Eleku, Ita Panpa, Gegi, Fawo, Shidje, Okorison, Adeba, Shakwati, and Ereki—were deprived of access to their ancestral land despite ongoing legal battles to reclaim it.
Faced with this crisis, Eleku and his legal team sought justice through inter-regional and inter-local courts. However, despite obtaining several court orders, the alleged land grabbers ignored the rulings and continued their illegal occupation of the disputed land.
A breakthrough came in 2017, when the community secured an inter-local injunction barring further interference. This legal victory, combined with intervention from the IGP, Ego Doku, and the DC faculty, finally paved the way for the return of displaced residents to their land.
During the press conference, Eleku emphasized the critical role played by law enforcement agencies in ensuring that justice prevailed.
“I want to thank the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP, and Ego Doku for their unwavering support. We had no money, no resources, and no connections, yet they stood by us and ensured our land was restored,” he said.
While expressing appreciation for the resolution of the dispute, Eleku urged authorities to remain vigilant against land grabbing, which continues to threaten indigenous communities across Nigeria. He stressed the importance of upholding court orders to prevent similar injustices in the future.
As the case nears a resolution, the people of Oko Olomi and 13 surrounding communities are now looking forward to rebuilding their lives on their rightful land.
However, Eleku’s words serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle many indigenous communities face in protecting their ancestral heritage.
The Oko Olomi people are calling on the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government, and law enforcement agencies to enforce legal rulings and prevent further violations of judicial orders. They warn that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the integrity of the judicial system and threatening the stability of local communities.
As the situation unfolds, the indigenous people remain resolute in their fight for justice, vowing to use every legal and peaceful avenue available to protect their land and their heritage.
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