In an escalating land dispute, the Kuje Amuwo Chieftaincy Family has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they described as flagrant abuse of power and contempt for the rule of law by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The family, in a petition addressed to the President through his Chief of Staff, accused the FHA of illegal demolitions, defiance of court orders, and intimidation tactics over a contested parcel of land located on 6th and 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
The petition, signed by O.M. Osobase and Comrade Akpan S. Mark, also alleged complicity by armed police officers who, they claim, acted as enforcers for the FHA.
A Legacy of Dispute
The controversy stemmed from a portion of land partially acquired by the Federal Government in 1976 for the FESTAC '77 festival.
The Kuje Amuwo family asserted that a significant portion of the unused land legally reverted to them.
They alleged that over the years, FHA officials and private individuals encroached on the land, illegally selling plots and disregarding their rightful ownership.
The dispute reached a critical juncture in September 2023 when the Lagos State High Court issued a restraining order barring any further activities on the contested land.
Despite this ruling, the family claimed that FHA officials, led by Architect Akintola Olagbenro, ignored the order and continued with demolitions, backed by armed police units reportedly dispatched from the Inspector General of Police's office.
“Terrorism” and Intimidation
The petition detailed the chaos that has unfolded on 6th and 7th Avenue, painting a grim picture of widespread destruction.
Homes, farmland, and properties have been razed, while residents have faced sporadic gunfire and threats.
The family described these actions as "terrorism" designed to dispossess them and their tenants.
“The demolitions and intimidation undermine Nigeria’s judiciary and violate the rule of law,” the family stated, emphasizing that the FHA’s actions jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of innocent residents caught in the crossfire.
A Plea for Justice
The Kuje Amuwo family has urged President Tinubu to immediately halt all demolitions on the disputed land and enforce compliance with court orders to protect the judiciary's integrity.
They also called for an independent investigation into the FHA’s activities and the alleged involvement of the NPF, demanding that all those responsible for the violations be held accountable.
In their plea, the family stressed the importance of preserving the rule of law and respecting judicial processes to avoid further chaos and erosion of public trust in government institutions.
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