The High Court of Lagos State has issued a notice of consequences of disobedience to court orders against a former head of the Lagos State Task Force, Engineer Peter Omotosho, STARMARK Finance Company Limited, and another defendant for allegedly continuing to encroach on a property in Lekki despite an existing court injunction.
The notice, known as Form 48, was instituted by Dr Ojo Oluwatosin Ademola, a medical doctor and claimant in the case.
Mr Tunji Solaja was equally named as a Defendant/Respondent for allegedly defying a restraining order issued by the court, presided over by Justice Akinkunmi Idowu.
The legal action equally included an application seeking to bar the law firm of Lawal Pedro (SAN) & Associates from representing STARMARK Finance Company Limited in the ongoing case.
Specifically, the claimant contended that the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice should be directed to withdraw from representing the company due to a conflict of interest.
In addition, the claimant is requesting the judge to revoke a prior order that allowed a change of counsel for the first defendant to Lawal Pedro’s firm on February 18, 2025.
It would be recalled that the court had earlier granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from trespassing on the disputed property, located at Plot 1, Block 4, Lekki Peninsula, Scheme 1, Admiralty Road, Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The court particularly barred them from harassing, intimidating, or interfering with activities on the land, which measures 1,147.124 square meters and is legally registered under a Deed of Assignment at the Lagos State Land Registry.
Additionally, the court prohibited the defendants from using law enforcement agencies, thugs, or other means to intimidate Dr Ojo and his workers.
However, despite these orders, Dr Ojo has reported alleged multiple attempts by the defendants to unlawfully seize the property using police officers and other coercive measures.
Dr Ojo’s lawyer, Mr Ayodele Osanyinlusi, condemned the continued harassment despite the court’s injunction.
According to the lawyer, “Shockingly, despite the court’s order and advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) recommending prosecution of the offenders, the land grabbers persisted in their illegal activities.
“They have repeatedly used the police to intimidate my client, but we have successfully resisted their efforts because we have the necessary legal documents proving rightful ownership.”
Dr Ojo posited that he acquired the land from Churchgate Nigeria Ltd in 2020, obtained the Governor’s consent, and duly registered the title at the Bureau of Lands, Lagos State.
Dr Ojo had further maintained that he secured the necessary building permits from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA), adding that his goal is to construct a world-class specialist hospital to benefit Lagosians and Nigerians at large.
The conflict escalated in 2023 when Dr Ojo began construction on his hospital project.
Armed policemen, allegedly accompanied by thugs, stormed the site, forcibly evicting workers and claiming to act on behalf of the Lagos State Task Force.
But, investigations revealed that these individuals were not officially affiliated with the task force, leading to their withdrawal, insisted Dr Ojo.
The medical doctor's counsel stated that in August and December 2024, the DPP advised against the illegal activities, yet the defendants allegedly returned to the site, broke in, vandalised property, and stole building materials worth over ₦30 million.
The case has been adjourned until April 10, 2025, for the entertainment of Dr Ojo’s application for committal proceedings against the defendants.
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