Fear grips Idimu landlords, residents as land grabbers takeover properties

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Landlords and residents in some parts of Idimu and environs in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA,  have appealed to Lagos State Government to intervene in the land dispute in the area to avert imminent communal clash.

It would be recalled that the paramount ruler of Isheri-Olofin, Oniseri of Isheri-Olofin, Wahabi Ayinde Balogun, recently won a land dispute of about 40 years in Lagos High Court between indigenes of Isheri Olofin and Olorunfunmi-Madarikan family of Idimu over landed properties in old Isheri comprising; Egbe, Igando, Meshindi (Ogbomosho) villages and others.

According to them, the appeal became necessary as land grabbers took their turn to take possession of landed property in Arida, Idowu-Egba,council and Ogbomoshotedo areas in Idimu on the strength of court judgement.Notices were also pasted on all the affected houses, informing them of the court judgment.

One of the property owners who did  not want his name mentioned, narrated, “hoodlums who are loyal to Isheri-Olofin family took the advantage of the court verdict and unleash  terror on the landlords, residents and shop-owners in the affected areas, asking us to come forward to regularise our various land titles with the rightful owners or be kicked out, adding  hence, adding that the land, earlier belong to Olorunfunmi-Madarikan’s family has the regularisation become necessary.

It was gathered that after the High Court judgment won by Owoeye and Co, solicitor to Isheri-Olofin party, Olorunfunmi-Madarikan family, the former custodian and owner of the disputed landed property had proceeded to the appeal court to nullify the judgement.[Appeal No CA/L/525/11]

The Madarikan family however, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement and therefore filed an appeal suit in conjunction with Abisiwa family was filled against the judgment.

Both families also maintained that motion on stay of execution and interlocutory injunction stays pending determination of appeal.

In view of the above situation, residents, Olorunfunmi-Madarikan’s family and tenants who were being molested and harassed in the affected areas jointly appealed to the authorities for immediate intervention.