Inside Lagos Land Dispute: Residents Allege Coercion, Court Order Violations by LAMATA, State Govt as Controversy Deepens
By Naomi Onome
Tension mounts in Lagos as residents of Okokomaiko and surrounding communities have accused the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) of attempting to forcefully acquire their properties through alleged illegal demolition, intimidation, and inadequate compensation.
The affected residents, drawn from Church Estate 1 and 2, Igbeyinadun community, Jubilee Estate, and adjoining areas, made the allegations during a court proceeding and subsequent interviews on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, insisting that their homes—described as “lifetime investments and retirement plans”—must not be taken without due process and fair compensation.
Speaking to journalists, counsel to the residents, Barrister Femi Dodo, accused the state government of abandoning an already acquired 50-acre parcel of land originally designated for the Blue Rail project and instead targeting developed residential areas.
According to him, the government’s actions suggest ulterior motives, saying,
“They have left a vast expanse of land lying fallow in Okokomaiko, yet they are moving into people’s homes built with millions of naira. This raises serious concerns about land grabbing under the guise of public projects,” he said.
Dodo further alleged that despite a subsisting court injunction restraining authorities from further action, contractors linked to LAMATA had continued to enter the communities with drilling equipment, sometimes accompanied by armed security personnel.
“We have filed contempt proceedings against officials, including the managing director of LAMATA, for violating court orders. If this persists, we will pursue committal proceedings,” he added.
The case, which could not proceed as scheduled due to the judge’s official engagement, has now been adjourned to June 1, 2026, for definite hearing.
Residents Claim Coercion, Reject Compensation
Several affected homeowners alleged that they were coerced into signing documents without full disclosure, under threats that refusal would lead to demolition without compensation.
One of the residents, Mr Chukwuemeka Obaka, claimed he was offered ₦35 million for a property he valued at over ₦170 million.
“They didn’t allow us to read the document before signing. They told us if we refused, we would lose everything. I have not collected any money,” he said.
Another concern raised by residents is the alleged lack of transparency in the compensation process, with some claiming that payments purportedly made to individuals remain unverified.
“They claim they’ve paid some people ₦3 million, ₦12 million, but we don’t know who those people are. Where in Lagos can you even buy land for ₦12 million today?” a resident queried.
Religious Institution Denies Receiving Payment
In a related development, a cleric, the Very Rev. Sunday Olugbenga Bello of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Okokomaiko branch, denied claims that the church had received compensation from the authorities.
“I saw documents stating that the Methodist Church collected money. That is false. We have not received any payment. That is a serious misrepresentation,” he said, adding that he would escalate the matter to the church’s national leadership.
Allegations Against Traditional Authority
Some residents also alleged that they were summoned to the palace of Oba Sulaiman Adeshina Raji, where they were instructed to sign documents related to compensation under pressure.
According to them, they were warned that those who refused to comply or sought legal redress would forfeit any compensation.
However, these claims could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
Call for Justice
The residents insist that any land acquisition must follow due legal process, including adequate notice, proper valuation, and the right to negotiate compensation.
They also called on the judiciary to expedite the hearing and enforce existing orders to prevent what they described as a looming humanitarian crisis.
“Our homes are everything we have worked for all our lives. They are what we hope to leave behind for our children. We will not allow them to be taken unjustly,” one resident said.
The dispute adds to growing concerns over urban development, infrastructure expansion, and the protection of property rights in Lagos, as authorities continue to push forward with major transportation projects across the state.
