By Elizabeth Osayande
The Managing Director, Dapo Ola Construction Company Limited, Alhaji Hakeem Olawuyi, aka, Dapo Ola Developer, has accused one Alhaji Sikiru Nollah of illegally sending thugs to demolish an N800 million worth of building located at 20A Church Street, Idumota, Lagos Island.
Hakeem noted that Nollah’s incessant to take over the renovation of the four-story building earlier marked by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LSBCA, for demolition, made him resort to using thugs to forcefully evict tenants, and shop owners, including demolishing the building without legal authorisation.
Olawuyi who spoke through his personal assistant, PA, Alhaji Shamusideen Ajanaku, explained that Nollah sent thugs on two occasions to demolish the four-story building that contained over 50 rooms, shops, and stores, This he said was despite the involvement of police from the Area A Command, Ikeja police telling Nollah to stop all forms of harassment, and intimidation.
His words: ” About two to three years, Alhaji Nollah came to my boss, and said he wanted to take over the contract for the renovation of the building.
“However, my boss refused because that property was a major one for him. Alhaji Nollah had to give money to some members of the family who allegedly gave him consent to start on the property.
“This then gave him the power to bring thugs to demolish the house on March 31. We had to involve the police who invited the three parties, Nollah, my boss, and the owners of the property for a settlement. There it was agreed that Alhaji should stop all forms of demolition.
“On April 1, he flouted the agreement and brought thugs with all sorts of weapons to drive residents into the building, and started bringing it down. Again, an arrest was made, and the so-called beneficiaries he said gave him the building denied him, Nollah.” Ajanaku noted.
The spokesman for Dapo Ola Construction Company Limited added that as business people, the demolition exercise has cost them over N800 million.
On his part, Alhaji Hakeem who noted that a petition has since been filed against Sikiru Nollah to the Inspector General of Police, through the Commissioner of Police Lagos state, and Area A’Police Command in Lagos Island on the matter, called on the Lagos state government to urgently intervene in the issue.
His words: “I am also appealing to the Lagos state government to intervene in this case before he gets out of hand.
Meanwhile, in a chat with Vanguard, Alhaji Sikiru Nollah insisted that he had all the documents to prove that the property at No 20A Church Street was legally given to him.
He added that the demolition exercise became necessary following the induction of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LSBCA, that the said property was not good for human being habitation.
His words: ” The people that called you are bringing up lies. The matter has been to court, and the house was signed to my company in 2021 by the family. And I have the agreement. Again, the house in question has been dilapidated for any human to live under the property, having about 90 percent living unsuitability.
” This made us serve a six months notice to quit which they received but refused to comply. After that, we gave them one month to vacate. I took these measures because I believe in the law. ” Nollah explained.
On the allegations that he was taken to the station, and the family of the property denied giving him the land, he said the allegations were false.
” These are all fabrications and propaganda, I have proofs of the letters, documents, and meetings we had with them, and I can give you the lawyer’s contact so that you can talk to him.” He said.
However, when the Lawyer was contacted to provide answers to these questions: Good morning sir. Thank you so much for your response.
Please, I just need this information:” When was the property handed over to your client? Who handed the property over to him? The contact and phone numbers of the lessons if possible sir? Lastly, please, why is Alhaji Hazeem laying claims to the said property? Among others, he declined to answer.
The lawyer whose name was not revealed said he needed to get consent from his client and promised to get back to our correspondent. But was yet to get back as he promised.
A family member of the property who identified himself as a spokesperson and secretary of the Kumeifo Oba Olaribigbe family, owner of the disputed property, Mr. Lateef Tiamiyu, reiterated that the family never gave Alhaji Nollah consent over their building.
His words: ” No member of our family has any agreement or signed documents with one Sikiru Nollah and he has no right to trespass and demolished the property.” He said.
” I am one of the family owners of the property of Kumeifo Oba Olaribigbe family at No 20A church street Idumota Lagos and the family representative lessor of the property. We have been in the possession of this property for over 27 years.
“Suddenly, hearing from people that Sikiru Nollah trespassed on our property and threatened the occupiers and tenants of the building property. I want to say clearly that no one should have anything to do with him because he has never been authorized or given power of attorney to manage or have Kumeifo Oba Olaribigbe’s family property at No 20A Church Street Idumota Lagos.” Tiamiyu stated.
