A coalition of civil society organisations has raised concerns over alleged oppression, land encroachment and financial impropriety involving communities in Igbologun, Igboeseyore and Igbosu on Snake Island, Apapa, Lagos State.
The coalition made its position known at a world press conference in Lagos, where it called on relevant authorities to investigate activities around Nigerdock Nigeria Plc and the management of community funds.
According to the group, the communities are situated on a large expanse of land which it said measures 24,651 hectares, covered by Survey Plan No. APA/LA and acquired vide public acquisition dated August 2, 1991, and published in the Federal Government Official Gazette No. 51 Vol. 78 of May 1991 and 24 Vol. 79 of 1991, situated at Nigerdock FEZ Snake Island Integrated Free Zone.
The coalition alleged that the communities have suffered long years of marginalisation and what it described as inhumane treatment, claiming that agreements reached with the company were not implemented.
The group referred to a Memorandum of Agreement dated February 27, 2004, which it said was signed between Nigerdock Nigeria Plc and accredited representatives of the Igbologun, Igboeseyore and Igbosu communities. The coalition claimed that after the signing of the agreement, the terms were not implemented.
It further alleged that there is a dispute over traditional leadership in Igbologun, with cases said to be pending before the Ikeja High Court. The coalition claimed that certain individuals paraded themselves as community leaders to negotiate with the company.
Central to the press conference was the allegation of mismanagement of N500,000,000 said to belong to the communities. The coalition alleged that the funds were disbursed in tranches to the account of a community development association registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
According to the coalition, the payments were allegedly made as follows: N200,000,000 on December 8, 2022; N50,000,000 on July 30, 2024; N100,000,000 on July 31, 2024; and N150,000,000 on February 5, 2025, totalling N500,000,000.
The group claimed that following protests by some community leaders over alleged marginalisation, a legal firm petitioned the company and later the Lagos State Commissioner of Police over alleged fraudulent conversion of funds. It said a Post No Debit order was later placed on the account, with over N75,000,000 allegedly frozen following a court order.
The coalition also spoke on the installation of Chief Moses Olayiwola Olaleye as Baale of Igbologun. It claimed the installation followed due process under the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, with the consent of the recognised traditional ruler, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Amodu Tijani, the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, on September 6, 2025.
On the petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the coalition said a petition dated May 12, 2026 was submitted to the Zonal Director of the EFCC, alleging misappropriation and embezzlement of community funds. It said the petition was assigned to an investigative officer and that statements were taken from various parties.
The coalition however, expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation, alleging bias and calling on the EFCC to expedite action and ensure a thorough and impartial probe.
The group also alleged encroachment on community land, claiming that Nigerdock Nigeria Plc entered into a concession with SICT FEZ and engaged ITB FZE Construction Company to build a terminal without the consent of the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom and community leaders. It further alleged poor labour practices, claiming that a large percentage of workers were casual staff.
The coalition listed its demands to include an immediate stop to alleged land encroachment and construction activities, suspension of the company official involved to allow for investigation, payment of N5 billion compensation for alleged decades of land use, extension of power supply to the communities, and provision of potable water.
The group urged the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, EFCC and other relevant agencies to intervene in the interest of justice and peaceful coexistence.
As at the time of filing this report, Nigerdock Nigeria Plc and the individuals mentioned had not publicly responded to the allegations. Efforts to get their reactions were ongoing.