Funke Busari, Lagos
The Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Abuja has been accused of aiding and abetting land grabbers in Lekki area of Lagos State.
Therefore the IGP Mohammed Adamu has been asked to investigate the activities of his Operatives in this unit.
This is contained in a petition by the Nigerian Bar Association, Epe branch.
The Association accused Policemen attached to this tactical unit of allegedly using police power unlawfully to intimidate residents within its jurisdiction.
It stated further that the police unlawfully aided fake lawyer with fraudulent titles, use of thugs and terrorism within Lekki-Axis of Lagos.
According to Mr. Jimoh Saliu, the branch’s Secretary on behalf of the Chairman, Ademola Koko and the executives, the association said it has watched with keen interest the incessant unconstitutional and nefarious activities of police officers of the IGP’s monitoring unit team, Abuja, who are only interested in land matters in Lagos State, particularly within Lekki Axis, which are civil in nature and they have been working hand in hand with some land grabbing dynasty and providing cover for them for corrupt influences.
The petition stated, “We have been inundated with several land grabbing complaints by these set of people within our jurisdiction, with no regard to the rule of law and constituted authorities instead of referring the matter of land dispute to the court of competent jurisdiction, they solicit the help of their cohorts in the monitoring unit of the IGP who uses police powers to hoodwink members of the public into surrendering legitimate right over their properties, using intimidation and act of threat.
It added, “The petition of the Executive members of the Nigeria Bar Association, Epe Branch was sequel to an emergency meeting on the 26th of February, 2021 pursuant to the public protection right of the citizens as provided under the constitution of the NBA to take a stand on the urgent and numerous calls of the terrorized citizens of Nigeria resident within our jurisdiction by members of the Inspector General of Police monitoring team, Abuja.
Those copied are the chairman Police Service Commission, Attorney General Federation of the Ministry,
Others are The Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Attorney General as well as the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, the Surveyor General Lagos State and all the State Chairmen NBA branches in Lagos State.
The NBA Epe branch has however added that it has been working seriously to ensure that the situation does not degenerate into violence.
“We demand that IGP Monitoring Unit strongly restrained from coming to Lekki
axis (our jurisdiction) to dabble into land matter.
According to them, the Supreme Court has ruled several times that disputants should approach the courts of competent jurisdiction on land matters saying land matter is civil in nature.
The Association also demanded that the “The Legal Department of the Police should take over all the cases, as they are thoroughly trained in legal matters.
“The police stations should be warned not to grant injunctions on land matters, being not a court, but-advised parties to approach court of law.
“We are prepared to work in good symbiotic relationship with the police to secure Nigeria of our dream, but the activities of some officers are making it hard despite the sleepless nights of the Inspector General of Police and other good officers of the force, particularly in a difficult time as this.
