A Legal practitioner based in Lagos state, Chief A.G Giwa-Amu has written a petition to the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja as a matter of great urgency, call to order soldiers attached to 174 battalion in Odogunyan in Ikorodu area of Lagos state.Giwa-Amu in the petition yesterday alleged that the soldiers have dabble into land grabbing, molesting, harassing and intimidating his clients and other law-abiding citizens.
Giwa-Amu whose clients are members of the Oloja Adekoya(Ofirigidi) Anikinaiya of Erebu-Ijebu in Epe Local Government area of Lagos all said that his clienents alleged that gun-totting soldiers have taken over the guard of hands that are the subject matter of litigation in support of the disputing parties.
The petition reads:
We wish to use this opportunity to commiserate with your good self and the entire Armed Forces,particularly the Army,on the death of 17 Officers and Men of the Army, who were killed at Okuama Community of Delta State. We pray to God to give our Nation, in mourning, the fortitude to bear this huge loss, and a grateful nation awaits the bringing of the culprits to justice.
We act as Solicitors to Omoba Titilola Olawunmi Tudemowo, Omoba Sanya Adedapo Adeoroye, Oloja Yisa Mumuni Efuore, Otunba Olukoya Olugbenga Kobari, Omoba Al-Hassan IsiakaAdebanke, Omoba Adefuye Alaba Osunkogbe, Omoba Olawunmi Olanrewaju, Oloja Olawunmi Samuel, Omoba Jimoh Wasiu, Omoba Sola Kolawole and Omoba Sakiru Jimoh, all representing the Head and Principal Members of OLOJA ADEKOYA (OFIRIGIDI) ANIKINAIYA FAMILY of Erebe Ijebu, Off Ketu-Itokin Expressway,Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, (hereinafter referred to as “Our Clients”) on whose direct instructions we write.
Our Clients wish to bring to your attention the unlawful use in land grabbing of some men parading themselves as soldiers from your 174 Battalion, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, the Nigerian Army (Engineering Corp)Igbodu, Ogun State, the Nigerian Army School of Finance Administration, Epe and 81,Base Ordinance Deport, Epe, Lagos State.
These men wearing Army uniform and carrying firearms can be found at Erebe ljebu, Off Ketu-Itokin Expressway, Epe and in Erebe ljebu-Omu, Odogbolu, carrying arms and ammunitions, guarding lands which are the subject matter of litigation in support of the disputing parties.
1.2 That the said armed personnel have at various times, assaulted innocent citizens and extorted money from commercial drivers plying the said route;
1.3 That the said soldiers were allegedly illegally procured or hired by the numerous Housing Estates who bought a disputed land and one Segun Yesufu Awokoya (Onirete), whois their sponsor.
Our clients are willing to assist your Office to identify, apprehend and take to your office for disciplinary actions, these officers and men engaged in these unlawful activities, whenever we are called upon.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
For:A.G.GIWA-AMU &CO.
J.J.AMODU, ESQ.
(Solicitor)