Eminent lawyer and activist, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, Esq., has made a passionate appeal to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akunwunmi Ambode, to urgently halt the invasion at Ori-Oke, Makoko. He made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday morning.
Adegboruwa said in the statement, a copy of which was made available to newsmen: “Since yesterday, May 10, 2018, I have been very sad and downcast.
“I received distress calls from occupants and worshippers of the Acts of Apostles Church, Ori-Oke, in the Makoko/Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State, of invasion by armed policemen, hoodlums, thugs, all ALLEGED to be part of a Special Task Force from the Governor’s office.
“Their aim was to drive away all occupants of the century-old settlement, pull down all the structures therein, and take over the land. To achieve this, they were ready to kill, maim and burn down houses and humans. Most of the policemen were hooded so they could not be recognised.
“By the end of the “operations”, some persons died, buildings were demolished, and the main church auditorium was set on fire.
“I grew up at Ebute-Metta in the early ’80s. I was part and parcel of Ori-Oke, a religious settlement founded over a century ago. It was this church that moulded me. I remember the day I went for prayers when I was to resume as an undergraduate in OAU, Ile-Ife. The leader, Rev Upense, told me point blank that my sojourn in Ife will be successful so long as I avoid secret cult while there. And that kept me going throughout.
“I don’t think any human blood should be spilt on account of land grabbing. The case of Ori-Oke was started and won in court, many years ago, by Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, SAM, but certain forces with government support, are bent on taking over the land by force.
“I will be visiting Ori-Oke myself and I urge journalists, activists, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, and all lovers of justice to do so.
“For now, I appeal to His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to please help intervene to call the Task Force to order. We cannot resort to self-help when there are processes stipulated by law for the resolution and determination of all land matters.”
