Agege, Lagos – A contentious legal dispute over a prime property at 47 Old Ogba Road has ignited tensions in the Agege community, drawing in prominent stakeholders, traditional rulers, and local government officials. The conflict pits the Agege Local Government against a former Ogun State lawmaker, Edward Ayo-Odugbesan, and his wife, over the ownership of the land that once housed Edwards Private School.
The school, previously a well-known landmark in the area, was demolished, leaving the land at the center of a heated legal battle. The couple has laid claim to the property, allegedly backing their case with what stakeholders have described as fraudulent documents, including a survey plan and a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
Prominent figures within the Agege community have rallied against the Ayo-Odugbesans, accusing them of employing tactics ranging from intimidation to blackmail. Alhaji Owolabi Dada, a former chairman of Agege Local Government, has emerged as a vocal critic, stating that the dispute transcends personal grievances and represents a fight to protect the rights and assets of the community.
According to Dada and other stakeholders, the couple’s actions have targeted the current Agege Local Government Executive Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi. Despite alleged attempts at coercion, Egunjobi has been lauded for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of the local government and its residents.
Community leaders have called on national and state leaders to intervene in the escalating situation. Their appeals have reached President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Inspector General of Police, urging them to ensure impartiality and prevent federal law enforcement agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, from being misused to pressure the local government.
The Agege leadership has also urged the Ayo-Odugbesans to respect the judicial process and allow the courts to determine the rightful ownership of the property. They have expressed concerns that self-help measures and extrajudicial actions could undermine the rule of law and disrupt community harmony.
