By Babatunde Odubanwo
The residents of Cowrie Creeks Seagate, a suburb of Ikate, Lekki Peninsula, Eti-Osa LGA in Lagos metropolis are appealing to the Lagos State Government to reverse plans to demolish structures in the locality. This plan was revealed by the State Government in a short notice dated 15th July, 2020 marked MPP/DM/20/1939/ signed by O.A.S Animashaun, the Head of Development Matters on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning in the Office of Issuance.
The proposed demolition exercise completely contravenes the masterplan of already established architectural and town planning of the Seagate Estate, by Conoil Filling Station Bus Stop, within the suburb of Ikate, Lekki Peninsula, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos. In addition to this, the area which has been occupied by many families have built and lived in their homes for many years. A section of the estranged occupant believes strongly that a certain Mr. Akintola Oladejo of Bela Residential, Prestige Homes and other friends of Mr. Governor Sanwo-Olu ‘’connived with the officials of the Lagos State Government to deceitfully and clandestinely divert the proposed road construction from Cowrie Creek Street to inward Seagate Estate, Palm Spring Road, Lekki, Lagos’’ leaving innocent citizens to bear the brunt.
Amongst the affected victims of this ‘’proposed forceful invasion and illegal demolition plot led by men of the Nigerian Police Force and officials of the Lagos State Government’’ is Mr. Akindele Ilesanmi Alfred who despite obtaining valid building permit and other statutory documentations, was served a contravention and demolition notices on his twin building houses. The collective worth of the buildings in the area worth over N100 Billion Naira. Ironically, these buildings don’t have legal backings.
In a statement obtained at the time of reporting from Aare Dotun Hassan (Esq.) who is the Solicitor to all the concerned victims, the legal practitioner explained: ‘’We hereby reiterate that this publicity press release dated 18th August, 2020 shall serve as valid pre-action notice and final warning, predicated on our well marshaled consequential drastic and sporadic legal sanctions for both criminal and civil litigations respectively: while filling for compensation damages of gross worth of damaged properties and victim’s health as well as unbearable pains, agony and unending psychological traumas; we shall be seeking equitable justice concurrently for specific and general damages against the Lagos State Government and any other accomplices found culpable at a court of competent jurisdiction forthwith’’.
