Land Crisis: Community Warns CBN against Facilitating Loans for Dangote

As crisis over land possession in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State lingers, the villagers have sent red signal to the Central Bank of Nigeria against moves to help Mr. Dangote’s Company access huge financial resource for construction of his petrochemical business, pending resolution of the ongoing crisis in the land.

The crisis had resulted in clashes, damages and deaths.
In a letter dated January 11th, 2016 by the Ibeju-Lekki community through their lawyer, Ogundele B.P., to the Central Bank Governor, the inhabitants warned that there are pending suits against the Lekki Free Zone and Lagos State Government, in addition to devastating clashes caused by disagreement over forceful take over of land by the Lekki Free Zone Ltd for the Companies.

The letter indicates that inhabitants are being forced out of their homes without any consultation or compensation, amounting to violation of human rights by the Lekki Free Zone Ltd. The community which includes some nine villages, said its people are not against any development plans, but deserve recognition of rights as humans and as inhabitants to be consulted for negotiations on how they would vacate the land and be resettled before possession can take effect without problems, as against sudden invassion by the Lekki Free Zone Ltd for business purposes.

The community said there was no agreement whatsoever with the community, the State Government or businesses, but the people are being forced to vacate the land. The villagers advised the Central Bank to tarry in committing huge financial resource to Mr. Dangote for his Petrochemical business until determination of their suits against the Company and the Lekki Free Zone, so as to avoid aiding oppression and violation of rights. 

-9ralife.com

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11th January, 2016

THE GOVERNOR, 

CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA,

PLOT 33, ABUBAKAR

TAFAWA BALEWA WAY,

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT,

CADASTRAL ZONE,

FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY,
ABUJA. 

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF NOTIFICATION ON THE PENDING SUIT AGAINST DANGOTE OIL & GAS REFINERY COMPANY LTD AND CONSEQUENCES OF FUNDING THE COMPANY AND OTHERS.
We are Solicitors acting for and on behalf of the Idasho Communities, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State (hereinafter referred to as our clients).

Our instruction is to intimate you as follows:-

1. That there is a suit instituted by our clients against Dangote Oil & Gas Refinery Company Ltd & others against acquisition of our clients land by Lagos State Government without Notice of Acquisition and payment of compensation. The case is still pending at the Epe High Court, Lagos State in Suit No: EPD/027/2015. 

2. Equally, there is another suit instituted against the company at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos State for violation of Fundamental Human Rights of our clients pending before Honourable Justice Idris Kutigi in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1535/2015.

3. That our clients are not in any way against development in the Lekki Peninsula or against Dangote Oil & Gas Refinery Company Ltd but against the injustice meted to our clients by failure to pay for the commercial value of our clients’ lands for a private liability company like Dangote Oil & Gas Nig Ltd and other companies. And incessant use of instrumentality of the Nigeria Police and army authorities for violation of human rights by the Dangote Oil & Gas Refinery Company Ltd.

4. That our chambers was assigned by Centre for human rights and democracy in Africa to handle these cases for the Idaso Communities.

5. Finally, we urge your office not to give any financial supports to Dangote Oil & Gas Refinery Company Ltd and other companies in the Lekki Peninsula towards violation of human rights and oppression of our clients until determination of the pending case or alternative resolution of the dispute leading to the litigation.

Our hope in the Central Bank will not be in vain.

We hereby attached all necessary documents for your perusal.

Thanks.

Yours faithfully,

B.P. OGUNDELE & CO.

B.P. OGUNDELE ESQ.

CC:

(1) THE PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

(2) THE SENATE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(3) THE SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

(4) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

 CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA.

(5) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

 CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS.

(6) THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

(7) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMITTEE FOR DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

(8) THE JUDICIAL & CRIMES CORRESPONDENT.

(9) THE EDITOR IN CHIEF, SAHARA NEWS.

SOURCE: 9ralife.com

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