Notorious Suspected Land Grabber, Okanlomo Dares Sanwo-Olu, Builds Shopping Complex On Top Of Drainage

MICHAEL AKINOLA

A notorious suspected land grabber, Shina Jelili, popular known as Okanlomo, has dared the Lagos State Government led by the amiable Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, by building a shopping complex on top of drainage channel.

P.M.EXPRESS confirmed that the complex was built on the road set back located at Royal Palm Estate, Odeyi, behind Bethlehem’s college in Abule Ado area of Lagos, despite warnings and orders by the environmental agencies in the state.

The residents are now living in fear over what may befall them as their lives and properties were no longer considered safe because the water channel in the area had been compromised awaiting intending disaster in the area.
According to the residents, when the dreaded Okanlomo woke up and started construction of the complex, the residents went to the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency and reported. The officials of the State Government went there, marked the place and warned him to stop work.

However, after some days, Okanlomo continued work on the complex after he visited the agencies, which is almost completed.

According to some residents, he boasted in the area that he has settled those agencies with money and they have cleared him to continue the building on the drainage. It was yet to be confirmed if those agencies had collected bribe and asked him to continue building there.

Following the frustration and the intending flood disaster, the residents have written a petition to the Lagos State Governor for prompt intervention over the illegal structure.
In a letter dated 15th November, 2019, on behalf of the residents by a media organization, Voiceout Nigerian News, the residents stated that they were living in fear, environmental hazard and looming communal crises over the actions of Okanlomo in the area.
They alleged that Okanlomo, described as community lord and land grabber, put up the structure to block the flow of air, drainage and free passage of water on the road in the area.
It stated that the dreaded Okanlomo had boasted that he was above the law and had the capacity to unleash havoc on anyone who dared to raise a voice against his actions.
It stated: “The initial clarion call by the residents to the Ministry of Physical Planning, who sent officials to come and mark the structure at the early stage, proved abortive as the illegal structures are now near completion, a proof that he has influence over certain authorities”.
They are appealing to the Lagos State Government for immediately response to avoid what might lead to communal crises in the area.
When our correspondent contacted Okanlomo, he did not pick calls to his known phone number.