Prominent legal firm, Ndarani SAN & Co. Chambers, has accused the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, of orchestrating an illegal takeover of a multi-million dollar property located in Okun Ajah, within the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
In an official statement issued by the firm, it alleged that the land in question had been lawfully allocated by the Lagos State Government to a group of investors. According to the lawyers, all legal and regulatory processes were followed prior to the commencement of development, with the consortium investing over $250 million into the site.
The dispute centres on a deviation from the approved gazette route for a federal highway project. The law firm claims that federal authorities, under the direction of Minister Umahi, veered nearly seven kilometres off the designated path, encroaching on private land without lawful justification or constitutional backing. The land, they insist, is not federal government property.
The firm further alleged that on May 4, a group of armed individuals in military uniform stormed the construction site, where they reportedly assaulted and abducted a worker, identified as Mr. Olamide Obanla. He has remained missing since the incident, heightening concerns about the legality and conduct of the operation.
Ndarani SAN & Co. condemned the incident, describing it as a breach of property rights and a threat to Nigeria’s investment climate. They warned that continued encroachment and disregard for due process undermine investor confidence and the rule of law.
They called on the federal government to halt what they termed an unlawful seizure and urged all parties to resolve the matter through proper legal channels. The firm added that it was prepared to pursue every available legal remedy both domestically and internationally to protect its clients’ interests.
In response, Mr. Uchenna Orji, media aide to Minister Umahi, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and intended to damage the minister’s reputation.
According to Orji, the minister is acting strictly under the directives of the Renewed Hope administration, with the aim of expanding Nigeria’s infrastructure through projects such as the new Coastal Highway.
He acknowledged that the route had been adjusted in some areas, including Lagos, to reduce damage to infrastructure and private properties. “The Honourable Minister has been careful to ensure minimal impact on existing developments. This is not a personal project but a national one,” Orji stated.
He further advised the aggrieved parties to approach the courts instead of making public accusations. “If they are in court, then they must allow the legal process to run its course. If they’re not, then that’s the appropriate step,” he added.
Orji reiterated that road construction inevitably affects certain properties but maintained that every effort was being made to conduct the process with fairness and responsibility.
As the dispute unfolds, all eyes remain on the legal and governmental response, with broader implications for property rights, due process, and infrastructural development in Nigeria.
