Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) calls for an end to alleged police harassment in the Oni-Orisan family land dispute. Learn more about the situation and HURIWA’s demands.
HURIWA has demanded an urgent cessation of alleged police intimidation towards Abdul-Moshood Babatunde, who serves as the octogenarian leader of Lagos Island’s Oni-Orisan clan.
It has been alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), who is in charge of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, instructed an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to take legal action against Alhaji Babatunde regarding a land conflict within his family.
During a press conference in Lagos, Pa Mashood Oni Orisan (also known as Alhaji Babatunde) conveyed his concern regarding the current controversy surrounding the sale of family land to Harmony Gardens. This real estate company is owned by socialite Saheed Mosadoluwa. According to Pa Mashood, who has siblings involved in the situation, ten acres of their Oju Ota Gazetted property were sold through a valid and approved agreement between all parties involved.
Pa Mashood has been summoned to the police station multiple times due to a petition filed by dissatisfied family members. The individuals behind the petition are said to be colluding with known operatives who were recently accused of causing damage amounting to billions of naira at Harmony Gardens.
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Pa Mashood revealed to reporters that he was given an initial payment of N35 million by Harmony Gardens, with a balance of N30 million yet to be paid. Unfortunately, the vandalism committed on Harmony Gardens’ property has impeded progress towards finishing the deal.
He claims that his half-sister spearheaded a petition opposing him in order to spread a falsehood claiming ownership had been seized without compensation from Harmony Gardens.
According to reports, Pa Mashood, a man with reduced mobility was deeply disturbed and angry at how the police treated him. He detailed instances where officers from Adeniji Adele under DCP supervision subjected him to harassment and intimidation despite his old age and declining health.
In regards to the land transaction, he made it clear that he had sold 10 acres of familial property to Harmony Gardens. He further explained how his siblings were fully aware and greenlit this decision.
Additionally, he disclosed information about their considerable real estate holdings in Epe- over 5,400 acres indeed! The government has also bought up a large portion (2k) for an airport project; however, there are still approximately 3,400 open-acres left available – more than enough for the clan’s seventy-seven grandchildren lowercase shares equally among each individual member
According to reports, the situation worsened due to armed officers from Zone 2 who were purportedly dispatched by an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) for the protection of disgruntled family members and thugs.
This allegedly caused more damage to Harmony Gardens’ property and resulted in the apprehension of a few employees.
According to HURIWA, Alhaji Babatunde has urged the Lagos State Attorney General to intervene and halt his unjustified and malevolent prosecution. He alleged that two persons who are infamous for encroaching on land were controlling the DCP and affected AIG like marionettes.
Expressing distress over the police’s conduct in Pa Mashood’s case, HURIWA denounced it as a clear instance of abusing authority and violating human rights. The organization asked Lagos State’s Attorney General to step in and deter any illegal or malicious attempts at trying Alhaji Babatunde.
They further recommended that the AIG overseeing the situation should step aside from conducting any investigations due to his purported complicity in facilitating and overseeing unjust efforts to seize land assets.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko and released on Saturday to Obasanjonews.com, expressed strong condemnation of the reported incessant harassment of Pa Mashood Oni Orisan by the police. The organization urges IGP to ensure that they act professionally not just in this instance but also other similar cases for NPF’s credibility, integrity as well as good reputation which are at stake here. Halt it now! An unbiased inquiry into these happenings is demanded while pushing for safeguarding upon Pa Mashood’s rights simultaneously.”
The Oni-Orisan family was advised by the human rights organization to pursue a peaceful settlement for their disagreement. Pa Mashood approved of this stance and urged his siblings to promote harmony in order to sell off the rest of their considerable property holdings and divide profits equally among themselves.
In conclusion, HURIWA urged all concerned parties such as the Lagos State administration and Nigerian law enforcement agencies to take prompt measures against the harassment of Alhaji Abdul-Moshood Babatunde.
The emphasis of the association was on maintaining the rule of law and securing justice for all parties concerned in the conflict.
