Tiye Land Dispute: Olumoye Royal Family Seeks Court Order to Reclaim Ancestral Land in Lagos

The Oba Olumoye Oniwonlu Abejoye Royal Family of Akodo has asked the Lagos State High Court to affirm its ownership claim over 855.88 hectares of ancestral land in Tiye, Ibeju-Lekki, in a dispute involving the Lagos State Government, traditional rulers and property development companies.

The suit, No. EPD/11089LMW/2021, centres on a vast stretch of land extending from Akodo and Erumu towards the Atlantic Ocean. The family is seeking legal recognition of its customary ownership and challenging government acquisition and subsequent allocations it alleges were carried out without its consent or compensation.

The claimants — Prince Abdul-Hakeem Olokodana, Kehinde Jamiu Hassan, Nojibu Idowu Hassan and Olalekan Balogun — instituted the action on behalf of themselves and other members of the royal family.

They named the Oloja Ekun of Epe Land, Oba Kamarudeen Ishola Animashaun; the Baale of Tiye, Chief Kayode Rauf Mustapha; members of the Kejibo Elejide family; Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited; Lekki Free Zone Development Company Limited; and the Attorney General of Lagos State among the defendants.

In their amended statement of claim filed on November 9, 2023, the family traced its interest in the land to Oba Olumoye, whom it identified as the ninth Onibeju of Ibeju, who reigned between 1755 and 1774.

The claimants maintained that Oba Olumoye settled the area on his wife, Yeye, who established a salt-making business there. They argued that the enterprise attracted workers and customary tenants from Epe, whose descendants later became connected to the disputed territory.

To support their claim, the family cited historical court decisions, including a 1920 judgment delivered by Acting Chief Judge A. R. Penington and Suit No. 85 of 1925. They also referred to a 1933 administrative report by District Officer E. J. Gibbons, which they said recorded acknowledgements by local Baales of the Onibeju’s customary authority over the territory.

The family further alleged that the Lagos State Government acquired the larger area in 1993 without serving the required notice or paying compensation. It also claimed that 22.469 hectares were excised and allocated to the Tiye community in 1997, while other portions were subsequently granted to the two property development companies without its approval.

Among the reliefs sought are a declaration recognising the family’s statutory right of occupancy over the 855.88 hectares covered by Survey Plan No. FOD/2277/070/2019/LA, an order for immediate possession and the setting aside of the disputed acquisitions.

The claimants are also asking the court to order the forfeiture of the defendants’ alleged customary tenancy, permanently restrain further sales, transfers and allocations of the land, and award ₦5 million in damages.

The case places the historical ownership claims, the legality of government acquisition and the subsequent development of the Tiye area before the court for determination. The defendants will have the opportunity to present their responses as the legal proceedings continue.

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