Months After Consent Judgment, Gov. Sanwo-Olu Reverses, Revokes And Grabs Taylor Family Land

The Lagos State Government has been accused of illegally and arbitrarily taking over a large expanse of property belonging to the E.J. Alex Kehinde Taylor Family without paying adequate compensation as required by law.

According to a press release issued by Olalekan F. Ojo, the Managing Partner of Platinum and Taylor Hill LP and counsel to the Taylor Family, the property in question comprises two warehouses with in-built office blocks situated at Plot 412/420 Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway, measuring approximately 20.98 acres.

The Taylor Family claims to have exercised all rights of ownership and been in undisturbed possession of the land since their predecessors-in-title first registered their conveyance in 1912. The family also asserts that they have been paying tenement rates and land use charges over the property, with the Lagos State Government commending them for their diligence in fulfilling this obligation.

In 2019, the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers reportedly acknowledged the Taylor Family’s rightful ownership of the property and executed a Terms of Settlement with them, which was subsequently entered as a Consent Judgment by the High Court of Lagos State.

However, the Taylor Family alleges that despite signing the Consent Judgment asserting that the land belongs to the family, Governor Sanwo-Olu allegedly reversed course within months, issuing a Notice of Revocation. The Taylor Family filed a legal challenge in Suit No.: ID/13980MFHR/2022, seeking to overturn the 2020 Notice of Revocation issued by the Lagos State Government. Despite multiple dismissed objections from the government, the case was allegedly withdrawn from court proceedings without proper resolution.

Undeterred, the Lagos State Government, through the then Attorney General of Lagos State, M.J. Onigbanjo SAN, took an unconventional step. In a letter dated 14th March 2023, they wrote to the Chief Judge, requesting that the matter be withdrawn from the Court. The stated reason was a desire to consolidate the matter with other pending cases, none of which had any direct connection to this case, which was instituted under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Rules.

To the family’s surprise and disappointment, the Chief Judge acceded to this request. However, nearly two years have passed since this decision, and the matter has yet to be reassigned to another judge. This prolonged inaction raises serious concerns about access to justice and the timely resolution of cases, especially those involving fundamental rights.

The Taylor Family, through their counsel, is calling on the Lagos State Government to respect the rule of law and comply with the Consent Judgment by paying adequate compensation as required by law or returning the property to its lawful owners.

The Lagos State Government has not yet issued an official response to these allegations.

Some critics have argued that Governor Sanwo-Olu has a history of disregarding court orders and legal rulings, warning potential investors that any financial commitment to such disputed properties could carry risks.