In a dramatic turn of events, Murphy Adebare, also known as Topaz, trading in the name of Topaz Garden, was arrested by officials from the DC, Admin Force C.I.D in Ajah, Lagos on May 30th, 2023. Adebare had been evading criminal charges filed before the Hon. Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offense court related to land-grabbing, forceful taking over, and criminal trespassing. His arrest came after months of investigations, police reports, and intensified efforts by the police to apprehend him.
Chief Semiu Lawal who is a community leader at Ibeju Lekki, claimed that Murphy Adebare’s of Topaz Gardens is a renowned Landgrabber and butressed his claim with Mr Murphy’s involvement in violence over land matters in the Lekki area of Lagos on March 12, 2018, that led to a bloodbath and the loss of several lives that compel the Zone 2 police to declare him wanted then. It was believed that Adebare organized and sponsored the violence between the Baruwa and Dana Ogun families, both of whom claimed ownership of the disputed land. The police had allegedly been actively searching for Adebare since the incident but had been unsuccessful until recently when he resurfaced as a front person for Dr. Ayo Ogunsan,who is alleged to have been using his influence as a member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund in deceiving the IGP, D.I.G Force C.I.D to give directive through ACP Jejeloye of the Lagos State Task Force to make it look as if the State Government is backing the accused landgrabber.
Dr. Ayo Ogunsan of LSSTF is accused of obstructing justice against Murphy Adebare.
Adebare’s arrest occurred just one day before his scheduled court appearance on May 31st, 2023. However, he failed to show up in court as he had allegedly been granted bail by the police a night before on alleged instruction of Dr. Ayo Ogunsan. In response to his absence, the court instructed the police prosecutor to issue a notice to Adebare and his lawyer, stating that his appearance is mandatory for June 8th, 2023. Failure to comply would result in the court declaring him wanted by the police. Adebare we gathered received and signed the police charges, acknowledging the charges to appear in court.
In a surprising move, Adebare denied his arrest by allegedly contacted some selected bloggers to spread misinformation about the situation. Despite his attempts to deny the claims, the evidence against him and the pending court proceedings suggest otherwise.
During the 2018 incident, Adebare was accused of encroaching, and trespassing on land belonging to the Baruwa family, despite warnings from the elders of the Dana Ogun family. He allegedly recruited armed youths to attack the Baruwa people, resulting in injuries, deaths, and property damage. Investigations by the police confirmed Adebare’s involvement in the violence, but he had managed to elude capture until now.
If found guilty of the charges, Adebare could face up to 10 years in prison, as stipulated by the law. The court proceedings on June 8th will play a crucial role in determining the confidence of Lagosians in the Lagos State Property Protection Law 2016 and that is what Dr Ayo Ogunsan allegedly bebelieved to be trying to use his office to destabilize for Topaz to evade justice.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the Allegation of the Eyin Osa Resettlement Committee allegation that the person of Ayo Ogunsan with status holding the Lagos state security trust fund can be using his influence to mislead the police for a landgrabber whom the police investigation has confirmed to be an invader and police legal department has file charges against. Lagosians are eagerly awaiting the court hearing to see justice served and the resolution of the long-standing land dispute in Ibeju Lekki and Epe Area.