An estate development mogul, Dr Saheed Mosadoluwa, the CEO Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Ltd, is crying out on an incident that led to the alleged illegal acquisition of his property by land grabbers.
The entrepreneur, popularly know as Saheed Ibile, expressed his frustrations over certain individuals allegedly sponsored by a suspected land-grabber, Aare Bashiru Fakorede, who he allegedly says is hiding under some top ranking police officers.
Saheed made the allegations in statement made available to newsmen after visiting the site of the destruction in Lagos on Monday.
He further alleged that the person is conniving with some groups have been threatening him for some time. He said he is now considering to relocate his business to Dubai or Republic of Benin where he is enjoying support.
According to him, the disturbing series of events unfolded a few days ago, involving one of his acquired property in Oju-Ota, Oko-Orisan village, Epe, Lagos State.
He added that, on July 17, 2024, a group led by one Sodiq Oloto allegedly hired by one Bashiru Fakorede, and one Modupe Damacio Oni-Orisan, stormed Majestic Bay by Harmony Gardens’s with armed thugs in their company, along with some policemen who allegedly acted on the instructions of AIG Olatoye Durosinmi of Zone 2 Command.
He said, the intruders, supported by armed officers ASP Adeseiko Joseph, Insp. Sanni Osiegbe and Inspector Oluwarotimi Omolade, engaged by Aare Bashir Fakorede led thugs Sodiq Oloto, allegedly demolished significant portions of the Majestic Bay Estate.
“We have this same type of business in other countries including Benin Republic and Sudan. Infact I was in Sudan the day Modupe Oni-Orisan came to destroy my property, and I tell you for a fact that there is no where else we get this type of frustration and intimidation except Nigeria.
“I am now beginning to understand why people always say they cannot do business in Nigeria or those saying they want to Japa with their businesses.
“We might consider a full relocation to another country except things actually gets better,” he said.
Mosadoluwa reported the incident to the Commissioner of Police in-charge of tactical officials that arrested Modupe Damazio and two other armed thugs. However, the AIG allegedly ordered their release and also ordered the transfer of my company managers who were there as complainants in a previous complaint, to the AIG at Durosinmi, where no action was taken on the matter.
The situation further escalated on July 22, 2024, when the same group returned with armed officers led by AIG Zone 2, Mr. Olaoye Durosinmi’s boys. This second incursion resulted in further destruction he alleged.
“Oko Orisan Community members intervened during the second attack capturing some of the thugs and handing them over to the CP Tactical team at Naforija Police Division in Epe.
“Among those apprehended was Modupe Oni-Orisan, who openly admitted in a video recording that she and her cohorts were responsible for the demolition.
“However, instead of proceeding with justice, AIG Durosinmi, took over the case and transfered it to the Area Command in Elemoro. He then released the suspects and detained Chief Sulaiman Salau and Pa Olatunde Alebiosu, two Executive Management Officers of Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited.
“These actions clearly shows that AIG Durosinmi is working with Bashiru Fakorede, Sodiq Oloto, Modupe Oni-Orisan and one Mike Utomi, and others to take over my estate illegally in two different locations; Oko Orisan and Bolorunpelu Onigbedu,” he alleged.
Despite clear evidence and confessions from the perpetrators, the entrepreneur said his colleagues are facing false charges and prosecution while the real culprits walk freely.
The business mogul called on higher authorities to intervene and the Attorney General of Lagos State to look into the case to ensure that justice is served and the rights of the true landowners are protected and the actual culprits made accountable to their actions.
The Lagos State Property Protection Laws prohibits the engagement of land agents and land grabbers and even law enforcement in forceful take over witout the presence of a court Sheriff with geniue warrant of pocession sworn in with survey attached, yet this has been blatantly ignored.
The entire destruction caused on the property is estimated at N600 million, according to Saheed. He further alleged that a payloader machine worth N185million was taken away from the site by the attackers.
Attempts to get the reaction of AIG Durosinmi failed as his numbers were unreachable as at the time of filing this report.
