By Emma Nnadozie
A retiree, Chiedozie Nwankwo, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Force Headquarters, Alagbon Annex, Ikoyi, Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, over an alleged attempt to dispossess him of a parcel of land in Badagry, Lagos State, and alleged threats to his life.
In the petition, titled “Fraud, OBT, Breach of Public Peace and Threat to Life,” and filed through his lawyer, B.C. Okoro & Associates, Nwankwo alleged that a man trespassed on his property and claimed ownership of the land.
According to the petitioner, he purchased the plot from Agara Johnson of the Boko Asika family, Igborosun, Gbomewonvi Compound, Badagry, in December 2009, for N350,000.
He said the land, measuring approximately 120 feet by 60 feet (650.378 square metres), is located along Iragon Road, Hungon-Igborosun, Badagry, in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Nwankwo said he obtained relevant title documents, including a Deed of Assignment and land purchase receipts, which he claimed were executed and signed by Johnson, identified as the assignor, and witnesses, including Oladele Hundekon, Amosu Idowu and Agara Egbeyem.
He further stated that following the purchase, he conducted a survey of the property and obtained a Land Information Certificate in respect of Survey Plan No. DVC/1323/2017/027/LA.
According to him, he also deposited two trips of sand on the property and secured the land by erecting four corner blocks.
Nwankwo, however, alleged that when he visited the property in 2021, he discovered that a man was occupying the land and living in a thatched structure erected there.
He said when he confronted the man, the latter allegedly told him that Johnson and members of his family had resold the property to him.
Nwankwo further alleged that when he confronted Johnson, the latter confirmed that the property had been resold.
The petitioner said several attempts by the parties and members of the family to resolve the dispute failed, prompting him to petition the Area K Police Command, Morogbo.
He said the police intervention resulted in an agreement between the parties, which recognised him as the original purchaser of the property and required the occupant to vacate the land and hand over possession to him on February 23, 2022.
According to Nwankwo, part of the agreement stated that the plot at Iragon Road, Igborosun, Badagry, belonged to him, having been purchased from the Boko Asika family on December 27, 2009.
He said the agreement also acknowledged that the property had been mistakenly resold to one Hassan and required him to vacate the land and return possession to Nwankwo.
Nwankwo, however, alleged that despite the written undertaking and verbal assurances to vacate the property, these men had yet to restore possession to him.
He further alleged that the continued occupation of the property, coupled with what he described as threats to his life, had subjected him to distress and financial losses.
The retiree described the alleged conduct as an affront to the police intervention, alleging that it amounted to fraud, conduct capable of breaching public peace, and threats to his life and property.
Nwankwo consequently appealed to the AIG to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against these people
He also urged the police authorities to warn them against further alleged trespass on the disputed property pending the resolution of the matter.