Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has on Tuesday visited the scene of a protest staged by Magodo estate residents over the planned invasion and demolition of their properties.
Recall that late December, Magodo Residents Association shut the estate gates after suspected land grabbers, led by some policemen and members of a family, invaded the community to claim possession of property.
Read Also: Demolition: Residents Stranded As Land Grabbers, Police Invade Magodo Estate (Videos/Photos)
During the invasion, the group used red, brown and blue inks to inscribe ‘ID/795/88 Possession Taken Today 21/12/21 by Court Order,’ on various property on the estate.
Since 1982, the state government and members of Shangisha Landlords Association have been involved in a legal battle involving plots of land in Magodo.
The supreme court, in its ruling, ordered the state government to give members of Shangisha Landlords Association 549 plots of land as a matter of first priority in the area.
Since the supreme court verdict, residents of the estate have been facing threats of demolition of their houses.
Reacting, Lagos State government promised to investigate all those responsible for the recent invasion of Magodo Phase II Estate with a view to prosecuting any person found culpable.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), declared as illegal, the invasion of the estate.
Onigbanjo had said the High Court of Lagos state was not aware of the development, adding that those found culpable of the invasion will be prosecuted.
Read Also: Lagos Vows To Prosecute Land Grabbers Over Invasion Of Magodo Estate
However, armed police returned to lay siege on the estate which led to the protest of residents earlier today over the planned invasion and demolition of their properties.
The estate management ordered a closure of the estate gates in protest against the planned demolition of property in the estate.
Speaking about the latest siege, Chairman of Magodo Residents Association, Banjo Osinubi told journalists during the protest that the presence of armed cops was unacceptable.
Reacting to the development, the Governor visited the estate and declared a total stand down of security operatives.
He also invited all parties involved to his office tomorrow for a meeting by 11 am.
UPDATE: Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu has physically intervened in the Magodo Phase II situation, there will be a total stand down of security operatives, and all parties involved will be invited to the Governor’s Office tomorrow for a meeting by 11 am.#Magodo pic.twitter.com/bfClD75I0H
— The Greater Lagos Project (@GreaterLagosNG) January 4, 2022
