Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP) will be probed by the house of representatives over their alleged involvement in the invasion of Magodo estate phase two.
The decision was taken after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ademorin Kuye and Rotimi Agunsoye, who are lawmakers from Lagos state.
Kuye who led the debate during plenary on Wednesday January 19, commended the Lagos government for making efforts to resolve the matter. He berated the IGP and the AGF for “getting involved” in the matter and “sabotaging” a peaceful resolution.
He said;
“Several attempts have been made by the Lagos state government from 2012 to 2015 to settle the matter amicably, making different engagements, with the judgment creditors presenting a proposal for reallocation in the Magotho Residential Scheme within the Badagry area of the state which some of them accepted.
“The Lagos state government again in 2016 initiated a settlement to reallocate Ibeju Lekki Coastal Scheme located in the Ibeju Lekki area, but this was rejected by the lead plaintiff, chief Adebayo Adeyiga, as the government continues to dialogue with the majority of the judgment creditors to reach a consensus towards implementing the judgment.
“Despite the ongoing settlement efforts and the pendency of an interlocutory injunction dated December 1, 2020, before the court of appeal seeking an order restraining him and his agents, chief Adeyiga, purportedly encouraged by the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police, stormed the estate with unknown bailiffs and armed security operatives to execute a judgment that was purportedly delivered by Lagos high court.
“The execution being presently executed through the office of the AGF with the connivance of the IGP is illegal, as only the Lagos state deputy sheriff can execute same and not thugs aided by policemen.”
The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house.
The house committees on justice, public petition and police were then directed to investigate “the involvement of the attorney-general of the federation and the inspector-general of police in the attempt to destabilise the peace of Lagos state, scuttle the ongoing settlement process and enforce illegality”.
The committees were also asked to “recommend appropriate sanction for any officer found culpable in the illegal enforcement and breakdown of law and order”.