Ndarani SAN & Co. Chambers, a leading legal firm based in the Federal Capital Territory, has raised alarm over the unlawful seizure of land legally allocated by the Lagos State Government to private investors.
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The firm accused the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, of brazenly violating constitutional property rights and employing military force to intimidate and assault civilians, all under the pretext of executing a federal road project.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, the Principal Partner, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed (SAN), described the actions of the Minister as “a grave abuse of executive power” and a clear affront to Nigeria’s constitutional order.
According to the firm, the affected land was lawfully acquired by a consortium of investors who complied with all legal requirements, including planning approvals and perfected titles. The investment, valued at over $250 million, was made in good faith and backed by valid documentation from Lagos State authorities.
The firm alleges that Minister Umahi unilaterally diverted the originally gazetted alignment of a federal highway by nearly seven kilometers to run through the investors’ land. Subsequently, military personnel were deployed to demolish already-developed structures worth millions of dollars.
On May 4, 2025, a second wave of military invasion reportedly occurred. Armed men in uniform stormed the site, assaulted civilians, and abducted a staff member, Mr. Olamide Obanla, who remains missing.
“There is no federal gazette, court order, or legislative authority backing the Minister’s claims of ownership over the land,” said Ndarani. “This is not just illegality, it is tyranny. Section 1 of the Land Use Act and Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution clearly vest land ownership within a state in the hands of the state governor.”
The firm insists that these actions constitute not just a civil wrong but gross violations of human rights and a misuse of military authority against unarmed citizens.
“This is no longer just a land dispute. It is a threat to Nigeria’s constitutional federalism and an attack on investor confidence in our country,” the Senior Advocate added.
In response to the growing crisis, Ndarani SAN & Co. Chambers demands the following:
1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must call Minister Umahi to order and publicly reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to due process and the rule of law.
2. The Attorney-General of the Federation should issue a legal clarification on the constitutional limits of federal power over land in states.
3. The National Assembly must initiate a full investigation into the alleged abuse of office and misuse of military forces.
4. The Chief of Army Staff is urged to probe the deployment of soldiers for non-military, civilian suppression and to hold those responsible accountable.
5. The immediate and safe release of Mr. Olamide Obanla.
The press conference ended with an appeal to civil society, the media, and the Nigerian public to resist impunity and uphold the rule of law.
“We cannot allow power to triumph over legality,” Ndarani concluded. “Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just those in temporary public office.”
At the time of this release, neither the Ministry of Works nor the Nigerian Army had issued any official response to the allegations. Attempts to reach them for comment remain unanswered.
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