Police Report Recommends Prosecution Of Oba Kazeem Salami Over Alleged Land Grabbing In Ajah

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The Nigeria Police Force has recommended the prosecution of the Osobia of Ijebu Makun-Omi in Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Kazeem Salami, aka “All Rounder,” and others over alleged land grabbing and unlawful sale of land in Ajah, Lagos State.

 

This is according to an investigation report by the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit.

 

The report also exonerated businessman, Dr. Ken Uwaifo, and Stanley Oripelaiye of any involvement in the demolition of buildings on Happy World/Happy Land Estate.

 

However, despite the recommendations in the report, the Police are yet to commence prosecution of those indicted.

The case began with a petition dated 8th September, 2016. It was written by Barr. Akanbi Saka Abdulkadir, Esq., on behalf of the Fatimot Sosan Ope family of Odo-Enikin Village, Ajah, Lagos.

 

The petition alleged conspiracy, malicious damage, and threat to life against Dr. Ken Uwaifo and Stanley Oripelaiye. The matter was later forwarded to the IGP Monitoring Unit for discreet investigation.

 

Complainants listed in the police report include Abdulsalam Q. Sulaimon, aged 40, and Babatunde Tajudeen Falana. The parties petitioned were Dr. Ken Uwaifo and Stanley Oripelaiye

According to the investigation, the disputed land covers Happy World/Happy Land plots 13, 28, 43, 58, and 73. Police said the land was sold by order of the High Court to Cosmopolitan Properties Ltd. through a public auction on 5th November, 1993.

 

The report stated that the petitioners and the Fatimot Sosan Ope family “do not have any document whatsoever to lay claim on the land” which was lawfully purchased by Dr. Ken Uwaifo.

 

Police concluded that Dr. Ken Uwaifo and Stanley Oripelaiye were not responsible for the demolition of structures on the land.

 

“The demolition was not conducted as a result of any claim of ownership of the land, but as a result of the owners of the demolished buildings failing to have the necessary building approvals and permits,” the report read.

The IGP Monitoring Unit accused the petitioners of conduct capable of breaching public peace.

 

It stated that the petitioners “have been conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by forcibly entering and forcibly taking possession of the land,” and are “liable for malicious damage to the properties of the petitioned.”

 

The report described the petition as “unsubstantiated, diversionary and an attempt to use the Police to continue their unlawful occupation and illegal sale of the petitioned landed property.”

 

To end what it called “unending lawlessness,” the police recommended that the petitioners be charged to court for Criminal Conspiracy, Willful Damage, Giving False Information, Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of the Peace, Forcible Entry, and Forcible Possession.

 

The offences listed are contrary to Sections 409, 348, 96, 166(D), 52, and 53 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The report said the charges should be pursued to deter further illegal activities.

The report further noted that the Lagos State Property Protection Law, also known as the anti-land grabber law, could be invoked against the activities of the petitioners and their cohorts.

 

The police, however, recommended that the case file be forwarded to the CP Legal Section for legal advice before prosecution.

Instead of petitioning the IGP, the report advised the petitioners to approach the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development if they felt the demolition was illegal.

 

It also urged them to seek civil redress in court to reclaim the family land, rather than “taking the law into their own hands.”

The investigation was carried out following the IGP’s directive in a letter with Ref No. CB: 1099/IGP.SEC/MU/T.F/ABJ/VOL.10/78 dated 3rd October, 2017.

 

The final report with Ref No. CB: 4099/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.9/514 was submitted on 6th October, 2017 from Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja.

 

Legal experts say the report effectively closes the criminal angle against Dr. Uwaifo and Oripelaiye. The burden now shifts to the petitioners to prove ownership in a civil court.

 

The Police also warned members of the public against buying land from the petitioners without proper documentation to avoid financial loss.

As of the time of this report, the case file had been forwarded to the Legal Section, for further action.

 

Efforts to reach Oba Kazeem Salami for comment proved abortive. However, http://pmexpressng.com gathered that the matter was charged to court but stalled.