Ogun, Lagos set for showdown

Kunle Awosiyan and Dayo Aiyeyemi, Lagos - 03.03.2008

Communal clash is looming between Lagos and Ogun states over encroachment on some parcels of lands at Ikosi Isheri and Olorunda local council development areas of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, on Sunday said the plan by the Ogun State government to demolish the Lagos State Remand Home at the Isheri Oke was capable of breaking down law and order in the area and might consequently lead to a communal clash.

The Ogun State government had, about three weeks ago, marked the remand home as one of the buildings it would demolish to give way to its new housing scheme.

Though the Ogun State government confirmed that Lagos State had been using the property as remand home, it stated that the 1976 National Boundary Adjustment had ceded the place to Ogun State and that it would be illegal for Lagos to continue to use it.

But while reacting on Sunday, Opeyemi, who was accompanied by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), said Ogun State officials had been taking some steps that had gone beyond the limit of its legality.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun State governor, Mr. Wale Adedayo, said “we have had series of representations from Lagos State over the matter. Our two states are interwoven and there is nothing that can bring problems between us.”