LAGOS – The E.J. Alex Kehinde Taylor Family of Lagos has urged the state government to respect the rule of law and principles of justice over its large property allegedly forcefully and being illegally occupied by the government.
Addressing a crowded press conference at the weekend, Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, Managing Partner, Platinum and Taylor Hill LP, the family’s counsel, lamented that despite court decisions, the Lagos State government had continued to hold on to the land.
Barrister Ojo, who took the journalists to the disputed property, said the land located at Plots 412/420 Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba, Lagos, had been a legacy of stewardship and dedication.
He disclosed that the land had been forcefully and illegally occupied by the Lagos State government without the payment of adequate compensation as mandated by law.
The counsel stressed that the E.J. Alex Kehinde Taylor Family, as the lawful owners of the land, had held legal and undisputed ownership of the property.
Going memory lane, Ojo informed: “Since its initial acquisition in 1912 by Rt. Rev. Bishop James Johnson and subsequent conveyances to E.J. Alex Taylor, the property has been carefully managed, preserved, and utilised.
“It has been a site of significant economic and community value, hosting industries and facilitating development. Throughout this time, the family has diligently met all obligations, including payment of tenement rates, insurance, and maintenance of the property.”
Ojo alleged that in an affront to justice and equity, the Lagos State government took steps to dispossess the family of the property.
According to him, “Despite a binding Consent Judgment by the Honourable Justice O. A. Ogala in December 2019, which recognised the Taylor Family as the rightful owners, the Lagos State government has chosen to ignore its legal and moral obligations.
“Instead, it has resorted to arbitrary revocation, prolonged court battles, and bureaucratic maneuovres to delay justice.
“This behaviour is not just a breach of the law; it is a direct attack on the principle of justice and the sanctity of private property rights, which are foundational to any lawful society.
“The rule of law must not be optional, even for the government.”
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Barrister Ojo stated that the property had been subjected to vandalism and neglect, with armed thugs and factions destroying valuable infrastructure and disrupting the family’s peaceful enjoyment of their land.
He stated that the property, once a thriving industrial complex, “now stands in ruins, a stark testament to the disregard for lawful ownership and accountability.
“Furthermore, the prolonged legal battle, marked by frivolous applications and procedural delays, has taken an emotional toll on the Taylor Family.
“This is a story of not just land, but also of legacy, livelihood, and justice denied.”
Barrister Ojo implored the Lagos State government to honour the rule of law by complying with the Consent Judgment of December 2019, which he stressed, remained binding and subsisting.
He also called on the state government to pay the adequate compensation mandated by law, or return the property to the Taylor Family, its rightful owners.
Ojo also asked the government to desist from any further acts of encroachment, harassment, or delay tactics that undermine the credibility of governance and the judiciary.
“We also call on the Chief Judge of Lagos State to ensure the swift reassignment and resolution of the pending case, ID/13980MFHR/2022, to restore faith in the judicial process and the timely dispensation of justice.
“This case is not just about the Taylor Family; it is about protecting the rights of every Nigerian from arbitrary actions and ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people it serves.
“The rule of law is the cornerstone of our democracy, and its violation threatens the very fabric of our society.
“We trust that the Lagos State government will rise to the occasion, honour its obligations, and act in the interest of justice.
“To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent, eroding trust in public institutions and the sanctity of private ownership.
“We urge every concerned Nigerian to join in this call for justice. Together, we can ensure that fairness, equity, and the rule of law prevail.”
