Access Bank In Land Grabbing Mess

A real estate firm, A4 Reality Limited has instituted an action before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Eti-Osa alleging that Access Bank Plc is laying an unwarranted claim of ownership to a landed property situate at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

In the suit pending before Justice Ganiyu Ali Safari, A4 Reality Limited further alleged that Access Bank Plc has resorted to the Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to harass and intimidate its personnel in an attempt to forcefully takeover the said landed property.

Aside from Access Bank Plc, other respondents listed in the suit include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Inspector General of Police (IGP), and EFCC.

Meanwhile, Justice Safari, had following an ex parte application granted an interim order restraining all the respondents from further arresting, harassing or intimidating the firm’s personnel.

In granting the restraining order, the court ordered parties in the suit to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the suit.

Justice Safari, via the order, momentarily stopped all the respondents and any other law enforcement agencies by themselves and/or through their agents, privies, officers or otherwise howsoever called from harassing, threatening. arresting, molesting. inviting and/or chasing away the officers, employees, staff, construction engineers, site managers or anybody/person working for the firm on the land.

A4 Reality Limited had sought the following:

1. An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents to maintain the status quo and stay all actions in connection with the applicant’s property situate and located at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Lagos State measuring approximately 5000 square metres pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice in this suit.
2. An order directing the respondents to maintain the status quo and stay all actions in connection with the applicant’s property situate and located at Plot 1, Block XXE, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family Layout, Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State measuring approximately 5000 square metres pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice in this suit”.

Meanwhile, In the affidavit in support of the motion ex exparte deposed to by the applicant secretary, Opelusi Olubukola, A4 Reality Limited averred that it acquired the land from the bank and all necessary documents were signed by the bank’s officials to give the firm legal right over the property.

She however alleged that the bank started using law enforcement agents to harass, intimidate and arrest its officials immediately after the firm took possession of the said property.

Justice Safari has however fixed 13 November, 2023 for further hearing of the suit.

Access Bank Plc is yet to file its statement of defence as of press time.  

Eighteen-Eleven Media