The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Oshodi has declared the sureties presented by a suspected land grabbing kingpin, Kamorudeen Lamina, as unverifiable and thus unable to stand for his bail.

The State Government, through the Special Task Force on Land Grabbers set up by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, had on June 16, 2017 arraigned Lamina and others before the court over alleged forceful dispossession of residents from their legitimate rights to land ownership.

In his ruling after their arraignment, Magistrate Lateef Owolabi had granted bail to the defendants in the sum of one million Naira and two sureties in like sum. One of the requirements was that one of the sureties must be a land owner in Lagos, while the other must be a civil servant not below grade level 15.

The sureties were also required to have three years tax clearance and registration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA).

The Magistrate had also ordered the defendants to deposit the sum of 150,000 Naira each with the court, while they were to be remanded in Badagry Prison pending when they were able to meet their bail conditions.

Lamina and his gang were said to have been terrorising residents of Ikorodu for a long time before he was arrested on June 15, 2017.

Others arraigned with him, included Mr Omotola Ogunsanmi, Mr Samson Shobule (A.K.A Samson Salau), Biliaminu Orega (A.K.A Biliaminu Salau), Alhaji Jimoh Aromasodu, Alhaji Wasiu Orenuga and Alhaji Nurudeen Kasali.

In counts one and two, Lamina, sometime in February 2017 in Mowo Kekere area of Ikorodu Local Government, allegedly took over one plot of land forcefully which was sold to one Mrs Ebere Okafor, contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016.

The action was allegedly carried out by Lamina despite the fact that the sale of the land had been ratified with proof of payment.

In count three, Lamina was accused of forcefully taking over and remaining in possession of 200 plots of land in Mowo Kekere belonging to Planet Properties Ltd contrary to Section 2 (2) of the same law, while in count five, the defendants were said to have fraudulently sold 60 hectares of land which had been previously sold by the rightful owner contrary to Section 8 (1) (b) of the law.

In count six, the defendants were accused of fraudulent selling 25 hectares of land to third parties without any lawful right to do so, an offence punishable under the law.

The matter has however, been adjourned to July 13. (Channels TV)

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