A Lagos High Court, has restored parcels of land acquired by the Lagos State Government to its owner, Chief Livinus Okwara, 12 years after the state government acquired the property and triggered a protracted legal battle.

The claimant, who is a Lagos based business magnate and Director, Rimax Computer Institute joined the Governor of Lagos, Attorney General of Lagos, Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning and 32 others as defendants in the suit.

According to the claimant, the property is located at Awoyaya Ilado, in Lekki, Lagos.

He said the two parcels of land measuring 100×400 square metres and 400×400 square metres, were acquired by the Lagos government for public use, but later given to private persons.

The parcels of land, he noted, were supposed to be used for public purposes but were later sold to other private owners who never used them for the benefit of humanity.

“Though I was able to get a landmark judgment after 12 years through the court, returning the land to me and describing the state government’s action as illegal, unlawful, null and void, since the land was not used for the purpose of public interest, but sold to private individuals, the fact remains that we have a lot of people in my situation, who do not have the wherewithal to seek justice,” during a post-judgment remark.

Talking about his plans for the returned property, he said: “I have a dream of making Lekki a commercial hub. I think the state government should be thinking in that direction. Lekki is too strategic to be left in a perilous state.

“There is nothing wrong in making it a global commercial hub, where traders and businessmen all over the world can come, transact business and leave. It should be able to have its own airport for easy entry and exit.”

He expressed concern with the manner citizens’ lands are illegally acquired by the state for public use without adequate compensation, and later sold to their friends.

He argued that such action may alter the original plans of communities, where such lands are acquired.

As stipulated in Section 28 of Land Use Act, there is a need for the government to work within the confines of what constitutes public interest.

“After the judgment, I’ve been able to negotiate with the occupiers. I have made them understand that they can continue with their businesses, and be

aware that there is a change of ownership, even though they had a renewable 20-year lease agreement,” he stated.