In a legal reprisal to challenge the wanton illegal destruction and demolition of properties worth over N100Billion within the suburb of Seagate by Cowrie Creek, Lekki, Lagos on 19th August, 2020.
Barr Dotun Hassan, Solicitors to the Affected and Concerned lawful Inhabitants, Lands and House Owners of the Seagate Estate, along Salem Road, Ilasan, via Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos have written a petition against Governor Babajide Sanwolu, Lagos State Government and others to the National Human Right Commission(NHRC), in a swift reprisal to the ungodly and inhuman manner of demolition of properties with valid land documents title and Governor’s consent without encroaching into the laid down design by town planning on the regional road networks.
Barr. Hassan submitted a petition to the Human Commission on 20th August, 2020: excerpts
“20th August, 2020.
The Director General,
National Human Rights Commission, FCT, Abuja.
Attention: Southwest Zonal Director, NHRC, Ikeja, Lagos.
Dear Sir,
Petition On Conspiracy, Willful Destruction of Properties Worth N100Billion, Gross Violation of Fundamental Human Rights, Threatening Violence and Forceful Invision, Intimidation and Harassment Against The Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl O. Animashaun, The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Special Task Force And Others/ Request For Intervention And Equitable Justice For All Victims of Seagate Estate Led by Mr Akindele Ilesanmi Alfred, Miss Jennifer Otigo and others over illegal Contravention/Demolition Notice.
The above subject matter refers.
With sublime and passionate concern, we write as Solicitors to All the Victims of Seagate Estate Led By Mr. Akindele Ilesanmi Alfred, Miss Jennifer Otigo and others hereinafter referred to as “Clients/Victims” on whose behalf we urgently appeal through your good office for onward intervention and due diligent investigation over the intentionally committed act of conspiracy of wilful destruction of properties, forceful invasion, threatening violence and gross violation of fundamental human rights by the Lagos State Government, Nigerian Police Force, The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Lagos State Task Force Unit and others, consequent upon the forceful act of criminal invasion and illegal demolition carried out on verse numbers of properties at Seagate Estate Inner Road via Salem Ilasan Bus Stop by Cowrie Creeks Road, Lekki, Lagos led by men of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Police Command and officials of the Lagos State Government from the Ministry of Physical Planning(MPP), Office of Issuance, Development Matters Department, situate at 2nd Floor, Room 44 via a notice letter dated 15th July, 2020 marked MPP/DM/20/1939/ Signed by TPL. Animashaun O.A.S (Fuitp),HOD, Development Matters Dept who signed for and on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
We are aghast to inform that the hurriedly effected and selected demolition plan by the Lagos State Government on 19th August, 2020 was in gross violation of the original laid down architectural and prescribed town planning designed for Seagate Estate, by Salem Or Conoil Filling Station Bus Stop, within the suburb of Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki Peninsula, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos.
Most regrettable is the fact that one of the victim Mr. Akindele Ilesanmi Alfred have obtained valid building permit and all necessary government valid documentations, yet he was served a contravention and demolition notices on his twin building houses and other numerous victim’s houses worth over N100 Billion Naira is gruesomely targeted for demolition on Wednesday 19th August, 2020 without due process and court order.
We are reliably informed that the initial drawn plan for the road construction design was abandoned, omitted and intentionally diverted by MPP.
Unfortunately and deceitfully, we are reliably informed that some close associates and cronies of Mr Governor: Mr Babajide Sanwolu led by one Mr Akintola Oladejo of Bela Residentia, Prestige Homes and others connived with the officials of the Lagos State Government to deceitfully and clandestinely divert the proposed road construction from Cowrie Creek Street to inward Seagate Estate, Palm Spring Road, Lekki, Lagos. Wherein innocent persons lived for many years and built their hard earned houses worth billions of naira within the area.
We hereby demand a thorough investigation of that officials of the Lagos State Government and the brute force used by the police forthwith, while equally requesting they disembark from going further to demolish and maintain absolute caution, while immediately stopping this ill motivated and forceful demolition spree led by Commissioner for Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development(MPP): Commissioner and others.
We hereby reiterate while relying on your Commission’s intervention for adequate justice, that this petition should serve as a means to institute strict legal sanctions both civil and criminal litigation at a court of competent jurisdiction, based on consequential gross worth of damaged properties and compensation damages for the victim’s health as a result of the effect of the unbearable pains, agony and unending psychological traumas suffered.
Furthermore, we shall be seeking equitable justice concurrently for both specific and general damages against the Lagos State Government and any other accomplices found culpable at a court of competent jurisdiction forthwith.
We further inform Governor of Lagos State Mr Babajide Sanwolu be summoned for questioning and asked to, to retract and withdraw all caterpillars and heavy duty trucks forthwith, through the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The Lagos State Government having acted ultra vires of the law, in gross breach of fundamental human rights, and other ancillary statutory laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we thereby demand for full prosecution of anyone found culpable and ensure full compensation for the victims.
This inhuman criminal actions is a double jeopardy in gross breach of the Governor’s sworn oath of office to treat all citizens equally, protect and adequately ensure total welfare of the good people of Lagos State, but to our dismay and grave disappointments Lagos State Government is on a wrong footings, unfortunately in consolidation of his predecessor’s heinous acts of criminally evil machinated demolition of all the houses within Seagate Estate, Palm Spring Road, by Coinoil Filling Station, Chisco Bus Stop, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos forthwith.
We have emphatically spoken…
Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere…
For: Juryman Associates Chambers.
Signed:
Aare Dotun Hassan,Esq.
Principal Partner/
Solicitors to All the concerned victims.
