Serving Soldiers Arrested Over Illegal Occupation of Civilian’s Properties

 

By  Owolola Adebola

No fewer than five armed Military Personnel are now cooling off their heels behind the bars at the Headquarters 9 Bridade, Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ikeja Lagos.
Until their arrest, the military personnel were attached to Navy School of Music, Ota, Ogun State.

Their arrest was sequel to a letter of complaint sent to The Commander, Nigerian Army, 9  Brigade Ikeja Lagos over what has been termed illegal trespass and occupation of a private Property at the Ayobo area of Lagos.

In the said letter of petition by the Private owner of the properties, High Chief Moroof Owonla, a copy of which was obtained by our Correspondent, he explained that, he took possession of the properties following a legal battle  years back when  ownership was contested with him by one Hassan Alli.

He intimated the commander that, there had been Judgement in his favour in a suit No.ID/12351/LMW2022″. et -al.

Owonla in his narratives said that, he took the possession of the Properties  and Warrant of Possession after the court victory.

According to him, the properties in question lie  on 2, Peace Street and 34, Ferguson Osagie Street within Onikanga Ayobo environment Lagos.

High Chief Morufu Owonla, stressed further that, since the taken of the possession of the properties, he had never been given a  breathing space by the said Hassan Alli and his cohorts who daily dubjects him to harassment, intimidation and threaten of life.

He said that the matter peaked few days ago when he  returned from abroad only for him to meet yet fully armed five  Military Personnel who had laid siege to his Properties.

“Since I do not have the  powers to challenge armed persons most especially,those in uniform, I then resolved to send a Safe our Souls (SoS) to the appropriate authorities to please come to my aid. I am a peace lover. I hate violence “.

The traditional ruler therefore appealed to the Military Commander to help him ward off the impunity and the fraudulent manipulation and scheming of the officers of occupation “who intend to violently dispossess me of of my hard -earned properties”, he appealed.

Our Correspondent learnt that, it was on the strength of the petition that, the Military high Command at Ikeja Cantonment Lagos, arrested the five Military Personnel  on the properties who in unison claimed that, they were sent by one Lt. Commander O.O. Olaiya.

All efforts to hear out the said Captain O.O. Olaiya were not successful.

Of course, Hassan Alli in a chat with our Correspondent said that, all the claims by High Chief Owonla should be ignored in its entirety.

He added that, the Court did not do the desired justice in the matter and that the documents relating to the properties are quibble.
“Do not mind the traditional ruler. He knows me very well as I know him as well “, he sounded off.

However, the traditional ruler maintained that, it would be more dignified to always obey Court orders, most especially now that Nigeria is under civilian administration.
“I believe in Court judgements. It is the last hope of the commoners “, he said .