By Evelyn Usman

Family of the late Nigerian statesman, Chief Theophilus Benson (TOS Benson), has accused suspected land grabbers and some government officials of colluding to issue forged documents to facilitate the sale of its property in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The disputed 55-acre property is located at Ibelefun, Amojo Village, along Ibeshe Road in Ikorodu.

Speaking on behalf of the family, legal representative Prince Mikail Ayeni said the land is covered by two registered conveyances obtained in 1975 and 1976, long before the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) system was introduced. “The two registered conveyances of the late Otunba T.O.S. Benson remain intact at the Lagos State Land Registry. They have not been revoked. How can a C of O be issued on another person’s registered property?” he asked.

Ayeni alleged that the fence erected by Benson had been demolished, gates removed, construction materials carted away, and a security guard beaten into a coma. The family reported the incident to the Ipakodo Police Division, the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yaba, the Lagos State Police Command, Zone 2, and the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters.

He said some individuals continued construction on the land, claiming to hold valid C of Os issued by the Lagos State Government. “When challenged, they showed a C of O for another location entirely—Ebute, Ipakodo—not Ibelefun, Amojo,” Ayeni said.

Ayeni cited reports from the Lagos State Public Advice Centre (2014) and the former Solicitor-General (2015), confirming that the official gazette used to issue the alleged C of Os referred to land in Ebute, not Benson’s property. Another 2015 report from the Lands Bureau confirmed that Deed of Conveyance Nos. 48/48/1495 and 81/81/1540 are registered in Benson’s name for the Ibeshe land.

Despite these documents, construction continues on the property, he said, violating an interlocutory injunction granted on December 17, 2015, by Justice M.A. Savage of the Ikorodu High Court, which restrained development pending a substantive suit.

“If the government acquires land, they must show from whom. Where is the acquisition or revocation letter? Nothing exists here,” Ayeni said, warning prospective buyers and those allegedly selling the land under government authority to exercise caution. “If the judgment leads to demolition, enforcement will proceed regardless of protests.”