Land Dispute : Thugs Attacked RCCG Church’ Amazing Grace Parish In Ipaja Lagos

Thugs have invaded the Redeemed Christian
Church of God, Amazing Grace Parish, 85/87, 91,
Ipaja Road, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, and
destroyed property worth millions of naira.
It was alleged that the thugs stormed the church
premises around 2.00 p.m. and damaged louvres,
iron gate and shops located in the church
premises, among other property.
We learnt that the alleged vandalism was as a
result of a protracted dispute between the church
and Alhaji Babatunde Raimi Tetenji, over the
ownership of the property occupied by Redeemed
Church.
Speaking with THE NEWS, Deacon Mobolaji
Abiodun, the Administrative Manager of the
church, confirmed that Tetenji was claiming
ownership of the land, which the church bought
from Bakare family that resides at 67, Ipaja Road,
Agege, Lagos.
Abiodun tendered receipts of purchase of the land
from Bakare family, which include the Lagos State
Certificate of Occupancy with registered number
51, Volume 2005G, dated 14th April, 2005, a
Lagos High Court judgment delivered by Justice
O.A. Taiwo on Wednesday 15 January, 2014, with
suit No. ID/1125/09, and The Registered Trustees
of The Redeemed Christian Church of God
(defendant)’s court judgment which confirmed the
church as the rightful owner of the disputed land.
Abiodun alleged that Tetenji mobilised a court
bailiff from Abule Egba Magistrate’s Court II and
others to take possession of the church premises.
The bailiff told THE NEWS that the action was
taken in pursuance of the court order by T.A.
Elias.
But Abiodun said the church is still contending
the court order with Tetenji at the same court.
According to the bailiff, a plaintiff, Elder Joel
Olubisi Akinwusi of 5, Ola Ope Street, Off Capitol
Road, Agege, Lagos, claimed to have rented his
apartment to Tetenji but alleged that after the
tenancy agreement expired, Tetenji refused to
vacate the property.
Subsequently, the court ordered that Adewusi
should take possession of Tetenji’s property
situated at 87, Oke Koto Road, Ipaja, Agege
Lagos, where the church is situated.
Speaking with the 70-year old Tetenji at his
residence, he claimed to have bought the land
jointly from Bakare, Obanle and Otapo families.
However, no document was presented as an
evidence of purchase, despite Tetenji’s insistence
that he is the rightful owner of the land.
THE NEWS also visited the Bakare family’s
residence to confirm the incident.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mrs. Modupe
Bakare, claimed to have sold the land to the
Redeemed Christian Church of God and denied
Tetenji’s claim that he bought the land from the
family.
When THE NEWS contacted the DPO of Alabo
Dopemu Police Station, Michael Fatade, to
confirm the story, he directed us to the Lagos
State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs.
Ngozi Braide, who promised to return our calls
after confirming the case. But she never did until
press time.