THE State government today said the enforcement of judgment by Shangisha Landlords Association for the takeover of lands within Magodo area of the state as illegal.
In a statement, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo said while investigation into the unwarranted incident is being carried out with a view to prosecuting any person found culpable, the government has the high regard for the rule of law and will protect the interests of all parties.
“On the 21st of December, 2021, it was reported through social media platforms that the Shangisha Landlords Association with stern-looking Policemen took over Magodo Area of Lagos State in purported execution of a Supreme Court judgment.
“The Lagos State government has equally observed that the execution was carried out by unknown Bailiffs as the Sherriff of the High Court of Lagos where the Judgment emanated were not responsible for the purported execution carried out on the 21st December 2021 at Magodo. The purported execution is therefore contrary to Order 8 Rule 17 of the Supreme Court Rules 2014 and Section 37 of the Enforcement of Judgment and Orders Part iii of the Sherriff and Civil Process Act, LFN, 2004.
“The Judgment before the Supreme Court was not in respect of declaration of title and the Supreme Court did not in any way grant title to land to the Judgment Creditors. The Judgment Creditors had no claim for possession and none was granted as no survey plan was tendered before the Court. The judgment is not affixed to any land anywhere and only declared that the Judgment Creditors are entitled to allocation of land from the State Government.
“The State Government is therefore dismayed by the action of Chief Adebayo Adeyiga (one of the Judgment Creditors) who misled the Nigeria Police in attempting execution of the Judgment notwithstanding the pending Appeal against the issuance of warrant of possession by the then Chief Judge of Lagos State on 16th March 2017.”
Onigbanjo disclosed that several attempts by the state government to resolve the matter amicably have been on before and after the judgment of the Supreme Court was delivered, but one of the judgment creditors has been unyielding.
