Lagos Indigenes Write Gov, Demand Details Of Dangote’s $100M Land Purchased

Some indigenes have asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to clarify details of the Lekki Free Trade Zone land sold to Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Refinery.

Olumayowa Samuel

Some indigenes have asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to clarify details of the Lekki Free Trade Zone land sold to Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Refinery.

The oil mogul had, during a visit by the leadership of the House of Representatives on July 21, revealed he paid $100 million to acquire the about 7,000 acres of land to build his $20 billion refinery, contrary to claims that it was offered freely to him as an incentive or was a subsidised allocation.

Under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, the indigenes, in a letter signed by its president, Adelani Adeniji-Adele, and the secretary general, said they were “bewildered on why the notice of the purchase was not brought to the attention of government and how the money was expended without the members of the public being carried along or benefiting from it, particularly the host communities in Ibeju-Lekki.”

“On the basis of the foregoing, we hereby demand information of the allegation and detailed information on how the money was expended and the account that was used to receive the money,” said the group.

The group added, “Sir, Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, provides that, where information is applied for under this Act, the public institution to which the application is made shall, subject to sections 6,7 and 8 of this Act, within (7) days, after the application is received, make the information available to the Applicant.”

“Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, provides as follows: (1) Where the government or public institution fails to give access to a record or information applied for under this Act that it relates to and that the applicant has a right to challenge the decision refusing access and have it reviewed by a court.”

The group threatened to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the matter or seek an order of Mandamus in court against Mr Sanwo-Olu’s government did not respond within seven days.