Court Summons Army Over Alleged Property Invasion In Lagos

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigerian Army to appear before it over alleged illegal invasion of certain property on Anna Mbachu Street, Oke Arin Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Justice Peter Lifu made the order following an ex parte application by a businessman, Alhaji Yunus Adedokun, who told the court that the property belongs to him.

Adedokun said he purchased the land sometime in 2004, adding that on starting construction work on the land in November this year, heavily-armed soldiers from 65 Battalion Bonny Camp Lagos suddenly invaded the site and chased him and his workers away with gunshots.

He alleged that the soldiers threatened to kill anybody found on the land.

Adedokun, therefore, dragged the Nigerian Army; the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Lagos; and the Commandant, 65 Battalion of the Nigerian Army before the court, alleging a violation of his fundamental rights.

In the N200m fundamental rights enforcement suit filed through his lawyer, Olusola Salawu, the applicant sought an order directing the respondents to “stop the threat to his life and vacate his property.”

He urged the court to declare that it was unconstitutional and a breach of his fundamental rights to life and human dignity guaranteed by sections 33 and 34 of the constitution, for soldiers from the Nigerian Army 65 Battalion Bonny Camp to continue to harass him.

He prayed the court to award N200m as exemplary damages in his favour against the respondents.

After entertaining the ex parte application by the businessman, Justice Lifu ordered the respondents to appear before him to show cause why the prayers being sought by the businessman should not be granted.

“The respondents are hereby directed to come forthwith before this court and show cause within three days from the date of the service of this order on them why the prayers sought in the applicant’s motion dated 16th November 2021 and filed on 18th November 2021 should not be granted.

“That the said motion ex parte, which is the subject of this order, the already filed Motion on Notice and the Originating processes shall be served on the ‘defendants/respondents along with the instant order,” the judge held.

He adjourned the matter till January 21, 2022.