The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, has urged all parties in the ongoing land dispute in the Eyin-Osa community in the state to embrace peace by standing on the side of truth and justice.

The police boss made the call on Tuesday while addressing Murphy Adebare of Topaz Garden, ACP Jejeloye of the Lagos Taskforce, and Lagos State Security Trust Fund member, Dr Ayo Ogunsan, alongside members of Eyin-Osa community at the police command in Ikeja, the state capital.

During the meeting, Adebare of Topaz Garden claimed to have purchased 100 acres of land in Eyin-Osa from one Alhaji Shittu, President of Eyin-Osa in the United Kingdom.

He went on to disclose that he was attacked by hoodlums suspected to be loyal to Hon. Abdullahi Mosadoluwa widely known as Mr Ibile, and Alhaji Threeco.

Mosadoluwa representing Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, while showing evidence of being a legitimate investor, who had acquired land from the Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee, provided a Memorandum of Understanding and Certificate of Occupancy from the community.

Shittu on his part stated that the Lagos State Government had denied any agreement with Topaz through a publication in 2021.

He disclosed that the Certificate of Occupancy had been issued to the Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee, adding that he and his group had not conducted any enumeration.

Chairman of Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo, while speaking confirmed that the Lagos State Government had released the Certificate of Occupancy to the committee.

He added that Shittu and his associates had not participated in the enumeration and therefore had no legitimate claim to any part of the Eyin-Osa resettlement zone.

After a careful review of all claims made during the meeting, the Lagos Police Commissioner stated that Eyin-Osa United Kingdom was not recognised by the Lagos State Government, thereby rendering any land transaction conducted with that entity invalid.

According to him, Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee was the legitimate body overseeing and having a valid Certificate of Occupancy issued by the government.

Owohunwa advised all parties involved to seek a peaceful settlement for the sake of justice and fairness.

All parties will meet in two weeks’ time to take stock of peace initiatives championed by the Lagos Police boss.

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