N9V TV
The Lagos state government has responded to the cry for help from Nigerian lady, Maria Laguda, after alleged ‘land grabbers’ invaded her Lagos home with claims that her late grandfather willed the property to a mosque before his death.
Laguda had sent a statement and videos to LIB claiming some men she described as ‘’land grabbers’ invaded her property located on Number 4, Sere close in Illupeju, Lagos state, with the intent to take possession of it, over claims that her grand-father willed it to a mosque before his demise. She said that she was born out of wedlock 37 years ago and had to live with her grandparents who she looked up to as her parents. She said she lived in the said property with her grandparents until they both died. Laguda stated that her grandmum who was a former Commissioner of Police, was a Christian, while her Grand dad was a Muslim. She said her grandmum was diagnosed with Dementia in 2011 and as a result of the loneliness he suffered following the seeming ‘absence’ of his wife of 55 years, her grandfather became a frequent visitor at the Mosque close to their home. She said her grandfather became quite close to those at the mosque especially four men and a certain lawyer who allegedly helped write his will.
She said it was a shock to everyone in her family that after his demise in August 2018, the said lawyer brought out a will reportedly signed by her grandfather where it was stated that her grandfather had willed an extension of the property to the Muslim community in the area. She said when the will was contested, a deed of gift was presented.
Ms Laguda claimed that the ‘’validity of the purported last will and testament is doubtful as it refers to a large extent to Sharia law which should not be applicable to the right of succession in an interfaith family.” She also stated that the ‘‘validity of the will is further doubtful because it seeks to preordain the management of the house by keeping executors and trustees in perpetuity, instructing them about their course of action.’’
She further disclosed that according to the will allegedly signed by her grandfather, she is to move out of the property if she does not convert to Islam or marry a Muslim man.
The Lagos state government has reacted to the report. A statement released by the office of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers say its officials have visited the said property and that the contending parties have been invited.
Read the statement below
”The attention of the Office of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers has been drawn to the above-captioned publication and pursuant to that, this Office has taken a proactive step to look into the issue by sending Officials of Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers to carry out on spot assessment and extend invitations to all concerned parties.
2. Pursuant to the core statutory obligations of this Office, Invitations to a meeting have been extended to all concerned parties and they have acknowledged the same.
3. The Office of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Landgrabbers reinstates its core mandate of ensuring the Prohibition of Forceful entry, Illegal Occupation of Landed Properties, Violent and Fraudulent conduct in relation to landed properties in Lagos State.
4. The Office has further reiterated its zero tolerance for the menace of land grabbing in Lagos State.”
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