Some communities in the Lekki area of Lagos have called on the state government to compensate them for the compulsory acquisition of the land upon which the Lekki Free Trade Zone was built.

The communities, comprising Eto, Idaso, Idotun, and Falade families, according to their Counsel, Olatunji Abayomi, alleged the failure of the state government to compensate land owners from the monies received from the compulsory acquisition of their land, properly settle the communities, and keep the agreement it entered into (2007 Memorandum of Understanding) with the communities.

He said: “In establishing the vast businesses in the Free Trade Zone, we hold the view on behalf of our clients that the government can only lawfully acquire land for public purpose and not for private purpose.

“The government cannot compulsorily acquire and then sell the land to private interest. It cannot compulsorily acquire citizens’ land, sell the same, and keep the money and it cannot compulsorily acquire land without promptly paying adequate compensation.

“Our concern is that the government will appear to be contented in the exercise of state power to have taken over the land of citizens that is our clients without due process instead of assuring maximum justice to her citizens in the process of compulsorily acquiring the land of our clients.

“We demand that the government should properly acquire the land as it hasn’t without the consent of the Falade Family and properly seek the consent of the family land owners as well as provide adequate and prompt compensation.

“Given the above, we hereby formally declare on behalf of our clients a dispute case and controversy and demand resolution of the controversy within 30 days.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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