By Onozure Dania

A Federal High Court in Lagos has reserved judgement in the disputed former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp, between the family of Beku Onimaba family and Lagos State government, following  an application for stay of proceedings filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and the state government.

The court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, at the last sitting, informed parties in the suit that though judgement was ready, Lagos State had filed an application for stay of proceedings due to its appeal challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

The land in dispute, measuring 52.13 acres (21,098), is situated at Igando town, on LASU- Isheri expressway, Lagos.

Abang said the outcome of the appeal of the application of stay of proceedings will determine if the matter would be stayed or judgment would be delivered.

Plaintiffs in the suit are  Alhaji  Ganiyu Ige, Chief Wuka Olosunde, Joseph Bakare-Shodeke, Alhaji Muritala Remilekun- Shodeke, Lawal Ige, Femi Akintola- Ige and Alhaji Wasiu Olosunde, for themselves and on behalf of the Beku Onimaba family.

Respondents are the  Minister of Youth Development, the NYSC Director- General, Lagos NYSC Coordinator, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau, the Attorney General of Lagos State and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The   family, through their lawyer, Mr.  L. B Shopeyin, said the land in dispute was to be built and used by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as Orientation Camp.

They said that, in exercise of their ownership rights over the land, they granted  part of it to Lagos State government for use as NYSC Camp, but as it was not utilised, they asked that the land be returned to them.

They further stated that in 1983 after they were approached that the Federal Government was interested in land in Lagos State for use as Orientation Camp for the NYSC  scheme, the family decided to grant the land which is now in dispute to the government.

They said they did not grant lease or sell any part of the family land to the defendants

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to the statutory right of occupancy in respect of the land.

They went an order granting them possession of it and an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from destroying their property on the land, allotting or leasing it to anyone and constructing anything on it or trespassing on it.

The defendants had challenged the court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate the case, but  Abang dismissed their objection.