Yaba property owners petition Lagos Assembly over forced eviction notice
Property owners at No. 10 Ogayemi Close, Okoagbon, Iwaya, in Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos State, have petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly following a dispute over their
Property owners at No. 10 Ogayemi Close, Okoagbon, Iwaya, in Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos State, have petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly following a dispute over their property.
The owners said they were served a 48-hour removal notice by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development concerning a bungalow on the premises.
In the notice dated April 14, the officials reportedly stated that the structure was erected without planning approval and must be removed within 48 hours or face demolition.
The aggrieved family, through their solicitor, Ogunyemi Crossdale, petitioned the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleging intimidation, harassment, and an unlawful attempt to dispossess them of the property.
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According to the petition, the disputed land was purchased in 2011 by their late father, Chief Ifeinu Akali, from members of the Rufai family for N2.5 million. The family said he paid N1.664 million, leaving an outstanding balance of N836,000.
They explained that although the balance remained unpaid, the Rufai family allegedly advised their father to delay payment due to internal family arrangements.
The petitioners stated that following the transaction, their father took possession of the land, sand-filled it, and constructed a three-bedroom bungalow where he lived with his family until his death in September 2023.
They further alleged that after his death, some members of the Rufai family began moves to resell the property to third parties despite the earlier agreement.
The family accused the Rufai family and Garba Hakeem Babalola of orchestrating repeated attempts to intimidate them and seize the property.
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According to the petition, efforts to reach an amicable settlement, including a willingness to pay the outstanding balance, were ignored. They also claimed that the matter had been referred to the Lagos Assembly, but alleged that the Rufai family failed to honour invitations for mediation.
In a separate complaint, the petitioners alleged that on March 17, 2026, armed policemen accompanied Babalola to the property in what they described as an intimidation operation.
They claimed officers arrived in two Rapid Response Squad vehicles and a private car, forced their way into the compound, threatened occupants at gunpoint, and disrupted a church service taking place on the premises while measurements and video recordings were conducted.
The family described the incident as traumatic, stating that worshippers fled in panic.
They urged the Lagos Assembly to intervene in the dispute and ensure the protection of their lives and property.
As of press time, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the individuals named in the petition had not responded to the allegations.
