Ashamu Oyedele Estate Asks IGP To Investigate Task Force Chairman Over land Grabbing 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the family accused the Task Force chairman of allowing himself to be a willing tool to be used by some government officials to grab land, despite court judgement up to the Supreme Court.

The family also accused the Task Force of completely detaching itself from the Nigeria Police Force and instead work as agents of land grabbing to government officials.

They therefore, called on the IGP to institute a thorough investigation into the conduct of the the Task Force boss and ensure that a disciplinary action is taken against him if warranted.

Ashamu Oyedele Estate, in a petition titled, “Petition Against CSP Adetayo Akerele, Commander of the Lagos State Task Force, for abuse of office, arbitrary arrest and unlawful interference with judicial process”, urged the IGP to prevail on the Task Force chairman to respect the rule of law and justice in Nigeria.

Part of the petition read, “Late Samuel Oyedele Ashamu was during his lifetime, the owner of a vast parcel of land located around the Agidingbi corridor of Lagos State iincluding areas around Aspidi Street and its environs, having registered same in the land registry under the old Western Region of Nigeria Land Registry in Ibadan and some of which have been recognized by various court judgments including the Supreme Court”.

“In recent times, officers and operatives of the Lagos State Task Force, under the command of CSP Adetayo Akerele, have embarked on periodic and indiscriminate arrest of artisans, workmen and labourers lawfully engaged on the said land and surrounding areas without any lawful jurisdiction or court order.”

According to the estate, “The arrests are entirely carried out in a manner that suggests intimidation and harassment clearly designated to frustrate lawful possession and development of the land rather than the enforcement of any known law”.

“Our clients are aware and verily believe that CSP Adetayo Akerele is being used as an instrument by vested interests within government circles, who are exploiting their proximity to power to unlawfully interfere with our client’s proprietary interest in the said land,”

“We wish to draw your attention to the fact that the subject matter of this dispute is already before competent courts of law to wit: Suit No FHC/ L/CS/ 1389/3025  – Mary Oyedoyin Bandph and Ors V.the Governor of Lagos State and 1 Ors , presently pending before Hon Justice Ogashi of the High Court of  Lagos State and Suit No ID/17542 / LMW/2025 – Mrs Mary Oyedoyin Bandoh and 2Ors V.the Hovernor of Lagos Stste and 1Ors ,pending before Hon Justice Odusanya of the High Court of Lagos State” the estate stated.

The petitioners stressed that “Despite the pendency of the above suits and the full knowledge of the same, CSP Adetayo Akerele has continued to deploy state security apparatus in a manner calculated to preempt, undermine and interfere with the judicial processes contrary to constitutional norms and the rule of law”.

They averred that ,”The action of CSP Adetayo Akerele amounts to abuse of office and power, arbitrary and unlawful arrest, harassment and intimidation of civilians, unlawful interference with matters subjudice, conduct unbecoming of a senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force”.

“If unchecked, these acts are capable of bringing the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute and eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.”

The petitioners demanded that the IGP should, “Immediately call CSP Adetayo Akerele to order and direct him to desist from all acts of harassment, arrest or interference in relation to the disputed land pending the determination of the court cases”.

“Commence a thorough  investigation into the conduct of CSP Akerele in relation to the matters complained thereof and take appropriate disciplinary action as may be warranted in the interest of justice, professionalism and the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force “