The Lagos State government, First Bank Plc, a former Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alabi and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have all been dragged to court for contempt over their alleged disobedience to a court order over a disputed land measuring over 101 hectares.
According to the court documents obtained by SaharaReporters o Saturday, a contempt action was instituted against the state government and the others by the Attorney of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu’s Estate, Akinfolabi Akindele over the alleged disobedience of a court order by the aforementioned.
This alleged contempt of a court order is coming after a Lagos State High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, presided by Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi ordered that all construction works in the disputed land measuring 101.673 hectares be stopped pending the determination of the suit before the court.
According to the attorney of the Estate, the Lagos State Former Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi mobilised the State’s task force led by CSP Shola Jejeloye in gross violation of the order of the court to the disputed land to commence construction work.
“The disputed land which is located at Lagoon View Development Scheme (Oju Olokun), Chevron Drive in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, formed part of the land Adam Akinfolabi Akindele of Adamakin Investment and Works Limited was entrusted with as the Attorney of the Estate of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu.
“Sequel to an ex-parte application dated February 22nd, 2022 filed before the court on behalf of the claimants against Lagos State Government and others, Justice Ogunjobi ruled and ordered all parties to maintain status-quo antebellum pending the determination of the original suit before the court.
“Respondents in the suit include the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Attorney General and Commissioner For Justice, State Land Bureau, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation Limited (LSDPC).
“Other respondents are First Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPC, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, and Suntrust Savings and Loans Limited,” SaharaReporters learnt from the counsel.
Justice Ogunjobi, having considered the depositions in affidavit support where the claimants averred that the 11 respondents/defendants have concluded arrangements to unjustly and illegally take possession of the disputed land, granted the ex-parte application in the interest of justice.
Interestingly, according to the Attorney of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu’s Estates, Akinfolabi Akindele, the Nigerian Police Force on the order of the Former Lagos Commisioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, mobilized the State’s task force in gross violation of the order of the court to the disputed land to commence construction work.
This confirms the 51 paragraph affidavit, exhibits and written address by the legal representation of Madam Tinubu’s Estate to show that respondents/defendants already concluded arrangements to unjustly and illegally take possession of the disputed land.