I was not informed of any court case, says Aniyeloye
A Lagos-based lawyer, Olajide Ajana has dragged Lagos State Government, a provincial pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Goke Aniyeloye, the pastor’s client, Prince Stephen Ibitoye to Court over a failed land transaction. Ajana alleged that Aniyeloye and other defendants outsmarted him in the sale of a parcel of land situated at Wasimi, Maryland, Lagos.
In the suit marked: ID/8990GCMW/2022, Ibitoye was sued as the 1st defendant, while Aniyeloye, state’s Attorney General and the Director of Land Bureau, were sued as the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants respectively.
In his statements of claim, Ajana stated that Ibitoye engaged his services in 2013 over his parcel of land, which was being encroached upon by land grabbers and opted to pay for the legal services rendered to him with land compensation.
Ajana alleged that Ibitoye duly assigned him five acres and three plots out of the same parcel of land as payment in lieu of legal services and expenses to be rendered due to his (Ibitoye’s) inability to pay for his services at the time.
He also accused Ibitoye of conniving with the second defendant to sell off the whole land including the one assigned to him after his efforts resulted in the chasing away of land grabbers.
Ajana said he engaged the services of other law firms and colleagues to deliver effective and competent legal services for Ibitoye. He said an ‘order of status quo ante bellum’ was also obtained, which forced the trespassers and encroachers to vacate the said parcel of land and remove equipment on the site.
Ajana claimed that Ibiyoye and Aniyeloye, both first and second defendants hijacked the process because of the recognition given to Ibitoye by the Lagos State government.
He added that Ibitoye and Aniyeloye are presently selling the said property, including the portion assigned to the claimant despite the pendency of Suit No. ID/032 LM/2014 in respect of the property.
The statement reads: “The second defendant has also fraudulently applied to the Lagos State Government for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy in respect of the said land at Wasimi Maryland Lagos, including the portion belonging to me without consent or authorisation.”
Ajana, however said he is still representing Ibitoye in court in respect of the Suit No. ID/032 LM/2014 and sponsored all expenses in respect of the said suit and other processes.
Ajana said Ibitoye has also ignored him and refused to pick his calls or honour meetings with him. Ajana further sought an order stating that any sale/transfer of the said five acres three plots of land or any portion of the said land assigned in lieu of the professional fees to the claimant to Aniyeloye or any persons, is wrongful, illegal and null and void.
Reacting, Aniyeloye said the claimant didn’t inform him of the court case. He added: “How can I be a defendant in a case I am not aware of.”
In reaction to the petition sent to the Lagos State government, the Assistant Director, Technical Services Department, Ministry Of Physical Planning And Urban Development, Oyewole A.G, invited Ajana or any of his representative for a joint inspection of the site.