Lagos Police Commissioner Mediates Eyin-Osa Land Crisis, Calls for Amicable Resolution, As Murphy Adebare Is Cautioned

 

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, intervened in the ongoing land dispute involving Murphy Adebare of Topaz Garden, ACP Jejeloye of the Lagos Taskforce, and LSSTF member, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, concerning the Eyin-Osa community in the Free Trade Zone Parcel B and its resettlement area called Resettlement of Eyin Osa. On June 13th, the Commissioner invited all parties to his office at the police command in Ikeja, Lagos for a hearing, in an effort to resolve the matter.

During the hearing, Topaz presented his case, claiming that he had purchased 100 acres of land in Eyin Osa from Alhaji Shittu, the President of Eyin Osa United Kingdom. However, he alleged that he was attacked by hoodlums believed to be affiliated with Hon. Abdullahi Mosasoluwa, also known as Mr. Ibile, and Alhaji Threeco, a claim that Mr. Ibile denied.

Hon. Saheed Abdullahi Mosadoluwa, representing Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, defended his position as a legitimate investor who had acquired land in Eyin Osa from the Eyin Osa Resettlement Committee. He provided evidence in the form of the Eyin Osa Memorandum of Understanding and the Eyin Osa Certificate of Occupancy.

Alhaji Shittu, the President of Eyin Osa United Kingdom, stated that the Lagos State Government had disavowed any agreement with Topaz through a publication in 2021. He clarified that the Certificate of Occupancy had been issued to the Eyin Osa Resettlement Committee, and he and his group had not conducted any enumeration. His grievances were directed towards the Lagos State Government rather than Hon. Dr. Abdullahi S. Mosadoluwa or the Eyin Osa Resettlement Committee.

High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, the recognized Chairman of the Eyin Osa Resettlement Committee, emphasized that the Lagos State Government had released the Certificate of Occupancy to the committee, which had collaborated with the government on the enumeration process. He stated that Alhaji Shittu and his associates had not participated in the enumeration and therefore had no legitimate claim within the Eyin Osa resettlement zone.

After carefully considering all parties and reviewing the submitted documents, Commissioner Idowu Owohunwa responded to the case. He stated that Eyin-Osa United Kingdom is not recognized by the Lagos State Government, rendering any land transactions conducted with this entity invalid. The Commissioner reiterated that the Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee is the legitimate body representing the resettlement land, holding a valid Certificate of Occupancy issued by the government.

The Commissioner acknowledged that Alhaji Shittu and others who sold the land to Topaz had no genuine dispute with the Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee and their assignees, as they had properly registered their land titles with the Lagos State Government. He further noted that Eyin-Osa United Kingdom's grievance lies with the Lagos State Government, as they have not completed the necessary processes to perfect their title with the government.

The Commissioner advised all parties involved to seek a peaceful settlement and explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through compromise. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks to allow for a progress report on the settlement efforts.

However, another investor from Whiterose criticized the Commissioner's advice, claiming that it disregards justice by suggesting negotiations with Murphy Adebare, who is seen as a notorious land grabber and has allegedly committed criminal trespass and misled law enforcement.