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Counsel to Lagos businessman and CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, Engr. Abiodun Ariori, Mr. Owolabi K. Oluwasegun Esq., has stated that the police cannot declare his client wanted, stressing that Ariori is not a land grabber.
The statement was issued on Friday, August 29, following reports linking Ariori to the violent clash at Owode Onirin that reportedly claimed three lives.
Photo credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei
Source: Getty Images
Ariori acted within the law, says lawyer
Owolabi explained that Ariori consistently operates under valid court judgments and orders regarding the disputed Owode land.
He noted that the property belongs to the Olowu family, who engaged Ariori to enforce the court decisions.
“Engr. Ariori is not a land grabber. He is in possession of several valid court judgments, including appellate decisions, that guide his operations on the Owode land. He has never taken laws into his hands,” Oluwasegun said.
Police and government involvement
The lawyer recalled that the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, was part of the earlier enforcement process and that both the Lagos state government and market traders were aware of Ariori’s lawful possession of the land.
Stakeholders’ resolution ignored
Owolabi stated that when disputes arose between the Olowu family, Agbeyi-Ketu LCDA, and market traders, the matter was addressed before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and at a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Lagos state Attorney General, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, with senior lawyer Femi Falana SAN also present.
It was reportedly agreed that the land would be shared 60-40 between the Olowu family, represented by Ariori, and the LCDA. Allocation letters held by the traders were clarified as not conferring legal ownership.
Lawyer: Ariori not involved in recent violence
Despite the resolution, Oluwasegun alleged that traders destroyed properties belonging to Ariori and the Olowu family.
He insisted that Ariori was not present during the recent violence and played no part in the chaos.
Lawyer tackles move to declare Lagos bizman wanted
Photo credit: Contribution
Source: Getty Images
The counsel rejected the police declaration of Ariori as wanted, stating,
“No one can be declared wanted without a court order. My client has always obeyed the law and cooperated with security agencies. If summoned, he will appear with all the necessary documents to prove his lawful possession.”
Oluwasegun added that individuals directly involved in the riot had already been summoned by the Commissioner of Police and emphasised that Ariori should not be falsely implicated.
Source: Legit.ng
