12th May, 2011
A Lagos businessman, Kade Babatunde, whose life is allegedly threatened by some land speculators over a land dispute, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone II Police Command.
The matter was initially reported at the Okota Police Station in Lagos, but crack police detectives from Zone II Police Command are now investigating the matter.
The development was as a result of the petition written by the businessman and forwarded to the AIG, Zone II, when the threat to his life did not stop.
Babatunde, in the petition, alleged that he bought two plots of land in Okota area of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, from Oke-Ogbere family, but unknown to him, the property was in dispute among Oke-Ogbere and Ogundairo Bashorun Sunmonu Akanwo families.
The opposing family, however, became victorious after a prolonged legal battle in court and thereafter, the practice as demanded by the the family was that people that purchased land from Oke-Ogbere family must re-purchase such from them.
The petitioner further stated that he complied and re-purchased the two plots of land through the family’s representative, one Alhaji Agoro, to properly identify and confirm his two plots of land, consequent upon which receipt was issued to him after paying the necessary levies.
He has since been in possession and full occupation since 2003 as he has erected some structures on the land, while he has put in place the process of obtaining certificate of occupancy.
However, on 1 April, 2011, he went to the site to commence further construction work when he was confronted by one Segun Akinde, who claimed to be the owner of the land.
His worries was further compounded when he contacted the Bashorun family who claimed that the monies he paid did not get to them and advised that if need be, he may re-purchase the land.
Since then, he claimed that his life has been under constant threat.
Babatunde, who hails from the Ikale area of Ondo State, has also taken the issue to the Ikale community general meeting assembly in Lagos for its intervention, while he is also contemplating of informing the traditional ruler of his home town before any harm is done to him.
When Segun Awori contacted, he denied that the petitioner bought any land from him and his family.
He also said that he bought the land from a wrong hand, threatening to write a petition to Inspector General of Police over the matter.
—Cyriacus Izuekwe