Civil Society Coalition Issues Ultimatum to Lagos Police Over Royal Family Allegations
A powerful coalition of civil society organizations has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Police Command, demanding the immediate retraction of what they describe as baseless allegations against Hammed Tajudeen, chairman of the Youth Forum of the Ojomu Royal Family. The coalition has threatened to organize widespread protests across Lagos if their demands are not met, escalating tensions in a long-running land dispute that has gripped the Ajiran Town community in Eti-Osa local government area.
Coalition Demands Independent Investigation and Police Accountability
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos on Monday, March 2, coalition chairman Comrade Adeyemi Olorunshogo presented a detailed list of demands that go beyond simple retraction. The coalition is calling for the constitution of a special, neutral, and professionally competent investigative team to thoroughly review all allegations against Tajudeen and other youth forum members. They demand prosecution of any individuals found to have made false, malicious, or fabricated claims against the youth leader.
The coalition has specifically requested that Lagos Police Commissioner recuse himself from any investigation, claiming he has been compromised in this matter. They argue that Tajudeen was never given a fair hearing before being publicly declared wanted, stating clearly that at no time was he invited for questioning, refused any police invitation, or had any warrant of arrest issued against him by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Roots of Conflict: Decades-Long Land Dispute and Youth Demands
The coalition explained that their defense of the Youth Forum stems from legitimate concerns about ancestral land management. According to their statement, the Ojomu Royal Family historically holds vast ancestral lands spanning approximately twenty-two villages, towns, and settlements within Lagos State. For over thirty-five years, large portions of these lands have allegedly been dominated, controlled, and sold by certain traditional authorities without transparent accounting to the family or visible development for the community.
In recent years, the youth of the family have demanded accountability, transparency, and clarity regarding the management and sale of these ancestral lands, particularly in the interest of future generations. These demands have reportedly been met with resistance, intimidation, and a sustained pattern of petitions to police against youth forum members.
The coalition revealed that within the last five years alone, more than twenty-five petitions were written against members of the youth forum. In each case, police investigations reportedly found the allegations to be baseless, frivolous, and without merit. Despite this history, forum members have been repeatedly and falsely linked to criminal incidents in Ajiran Town, including serious violent crimes where no factual basis connected them to such incidents.
Specific Allegations and Previous Exonerations
One particularly serious incident referenced involves the murder of a community member in April 2023 at Moba, a neighbouring settlement. The coalition emphasized that at the time of this incident, Tajudeen was outside the country. They described him as a prominent community figure and longstanding pillar of support to the ancestral family, known for his philanthropy including sponsoring education for indigent children and making weekly voluntary donations to widows and economically vulnerable community members.
Following investigations by the Lagos State Police Command, Tajudeen and other youth forum members were fully exonerated from any involvement in the murder case. This history of exoneration makes the current allegations particularly troubling to the coalition, who see them as part of a pattern of harassment against those demanding land management transparency.
Broader Implications for Community Relations and Police Conduct
The coalition's demands extend beyond the immediate case to call for broader reforms in police procedures and community relations. They are urging appropriate authorities to intervene urgently to restore confidence in due process and ensure that legitimate community concerns about land management are addressed through proper channels rather than criminal allegations.
The group has specifically demanded:
- A complete cessation of further sales of land indigenously belonging to the Ojomu Royal Family by unauthorized individuals
- A public retraction of what they call unlawful declarations portraying Tajudeen as a murderer
- Transparent investigation into all land transactions involving Ojomu Royal Family properties
- Protection for community members exercising their right to demand accountability
As the seven-day deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Lagos State Police Command's response. The threatened protests could bring significant attention to long-simmering tensions over land rights, traditional authority, and police conduct in one of Lagos's historic communities. The outcome may set important precedents for how similar disputes are handled across Nigeria's rapidly developing urban centers where ancestral lands face increasing pressure from development and commercial interests.
