The family of the late prominent Lagos businessman, Chief Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu, has raised an urgent alarm over what it describes as the illegal reallocation of a parcel of land belonging to the estate of the deceased mogul in the Agidingbi area of Ikeja, Lagos. The family has formally called the attention of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the general public to the matter, warning that any interference with the property will be legally resisted.
In a public notice issued by the estate’s administrators, the family categorically declared that the land in question lawfully belongs to the Estate of the Late Chief Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu. The property is said to be supported by a series of valid legal instruments, including several Deeds of Conveyance and a Deed of Assignment registered at the Lands Registry offices in both Ibadan and Lagos between 1962 and 1973.
“These documents include the Deed of Conveyance dated 12th December 1962 (Vol. 600), 4th May 1963 (Vol. 651), 14th May 1963 (Vol. 651), 25th November 1965 (Vol. 884), and the Deed of Assignment dated 30th June 1973 (Vol. 1425), among others,” the family stated.
Warning members of the public against dealing with “unscrupulous elements” attempting to sell or represent the land as theirs, the family reiterated that any such actions would be met with legal consequences.
According to the family, the dispute traces back to a compulsory acquisition carried out by the Western Region Government in 1963, involving 601.2 acres of land lawfully owned by the late Chief Ashamu. Under Nigerian law, such acquisitions require prompt and adequate compensation to the affected landowners—compensation which the Ashamu family insists was never paid.
Following the creation of Lagos State in 1967, the disputed land was reportedly transferred from the Western Region to the Lagos State Government. In 1969, the land was again subject to acquisition by the Lagos State Government through Notice No. 236 of October 14, 1969. Yet again, the family alleges, no compensation was provided to Chief Ashamu.
“In effect,” the statement reads, “the failure of the Lagos State Government to pay compensation nullifies the legality of the compulsory acquisition. Therefore, under Section 34(2) of the Land Use Act, the late Chief Ashamu retained statutory right of occupancy over the property at the time of his death on August 20, 1992. This right has legally devolved to the estate.”
The controversy reached a new level when, by a letter dated April 8, 2025, the Lagos State Lands Bureau allegedly allocated a portion of the land—measuring approximately 4,177.936 square metres along Lateef Jakande Road in Agidingbi—to the Akinole Oshiun Family. The Ashamu family maintains that this allocation is “unlawful, invalid, and without justification.”
The estate’s administrators have vowed to take all lawful steps necessary to protect the property rights of their late patriarch and to ensure that all parties involved in the alleged trespass are held accountable.
“This estate will not tolerate unlawful encroachment, and we call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate and redress this injustice without delay,” the statement concluded.
Disclaimer:
This report is based on a public statement issued by the family and estate administrators of the late Chief Emmanuel Oyedele Ashamu. The claims and allegations herein reflect the family’s position and are presented for public interest and transparency. We invite the Lagos State Government, the Lands Bureau, and any other relevant parties to respond or provide clarification, which will be duly reflected in follow-up reporting.