Tetrazzini Foods Plc has strongly denied claims made by Admiral Festus Porbeni (Rtd), the former Minister of Transportation, about ownership of a prime property in Lekki, Lagos. The food company says the land in question belongs to Drabella Nigeria Limited, not Porbeni.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of Tetrazzini Foods, Chief Prince Don Okonkwo, refuted the claims of Porbeni and the Good Governance Alliance Nigeria (GGA-N), insisting that they were “false and baseless.”
“The property in question belongs to Drabella Nigeria Ltd, which holds a valid Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) issued by the Lagos State Government,” Okonkwo said. “The title, registered as Number 24 on Page 24 in Volume 1991, confirms Drabella Nigeria Ltd as the lawful owner of the said property.”
Tetrazzini Foods Plc has accused Porbeni of using his influence to wrongfully occupy the land and of collecting rents from boat owners who believe the property belongs to him. According to the statement, this act is a classic example of illegal land grabbing, which the Lagos State Government is actively working to combat.
Ex-Minister’s Claim Deemed Baseless
Tetrazzini Foods Plc went further to emphasize that there is no court ruling that supports Admiral Porbeni’s claim over the property. “There is no judgment by any court in Nigeria affirming Admiral Porbeni (Rtd) as the owner of the land in question, nor is there any pending legal action disputing Drabella Nigeria Limited’s ownership,” the company declared.
The statement also clarified that the alleged court order cited by Porbeni in the matter, in the case of Suit No FHC/L/CS/1384/2021, was invalid. The Federal High Court, according to Tetrazzini Foods, had ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear land disputes, as such matters fall exclusively under the purview of state high courts.
In response to Porbeni’s claims, Tetrazzini Foods reaffirmed Drabella Nigeria Limited’s rightful ownership, saying the company had all the legal documents to back its position. This includes the valid Certificate of Occupancy granted by the Lagos State Government, which is recognized as the official proof of ownership.
Lagos State Takes Action Against Land Grabbing
The issue escalated further as the Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbing intervened to restore order in the Lekki area. Acting within its legal mandate, the Task Force took decisive action to remove the illegal occupants of the land, an effort in line with the state’s ongoing battle against land grabbing.
Tetrazzini Foods praised the Lagos State Government for its swift and decisive response. “Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbing, acting within its legal mandate, took decisive action, enforcing the law to dislodge the illegal occupants and restore order to the high-brow Lekki neighbourhood,” the company said.
The statement added that the intervention was part of the larger efforts by the Lagos State Government to combat the widespread problem of land grabbing and to protect the rights of legitimate property owners in the state.
Public Misleading and False Claims Condemned
Tetrazzini Foods Plc strongly condemned the spread of false information, which they said could undermine the state government’s efforts to protect property rights and uphold the rule of law. The company accused Admiral Porbeni of deliberately misleading the public by spreading false claims about the ownership of the Lekki property.
“We strongly condemn the deliberate spread of false information aimed at undermining the efforts of the Lagos State Government to uphold property rights,” the statement read. “It is essential for media outlets, organizations, and individuals to seek accurate information before disseminating reports that mislead the public and tarnish reputations.”
The statement also urged the media and the public to be cautious when reporting on property ownership disputes. The company stressed the importance of relying on factual information to avoid damaging the reputations of individuals and businesses unjustly.
The Broader Impact of Land Grabbing
Land grabbing is a growing concern in Lagos, especially in areas like Lekki, where real estate development is booming. It is a crime that has plagued many parts of the state, with powerful individuals allegedly using their influence to illegally claim ownership of land. These practices have led to numerous disputes, with legitimate property owners fighting to protect their rights.
The Lagos State Government has been active in addressing the issue, forming specialized task forces to tackle illegal land occupations and ensure that law-abiding property owners are not displaced. The government’s actions are seen as an important step in curbing the rising number of illegal land transactions that threaten to destabilize the real estate market in the state.
