BREAKING: Lagos natives write Gov Sanwo-Olu to “explain Dangote’s $100m for 7,000 acres of land”

By KEMI KASUMU

The DEFENDER reports that De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Lagos State socio-cultural organisation, has transmitted a strongly worded letter to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, following revelations penultimate Saturday by President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, which has now cleared the air on issues surrounding the land he used to build refinery in the state.

Leaders of the Group are demanding explanation from the governor on who received the money, through whose account and how the funds were expended.

Our investigations revealed that it was as a result of the 7,000 acres of land taken from Lagos State natives in the Ibeju-Lekki areas that Mr. Tunji Disu was killed for leading a protest against non-compensation and alleged ill-treatment metted to his people.

Before the Dangote’s “great weekend” bursting, other South West states’ indigenes, who are non-indigenous and sympathetic with fellow non-indigenous people occupying positions of authority in Lagos State, have pushed to the public that Bola Tinubu used the land to attract Dangote Refinery to Lagos, free of charge, because of his love for the state.

Although Tinubu left office on May 29, 2007, even under the successive administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari that finally helped the Dangote Refinery to stand up for operations, they said refinery of the Kano-born Aliko Dangote was an achievement of the man, who continues to control Lagos State government as Governor Emeritus with so much controlling power and is now the President of Nigeria.

But on Saturday July 21, 2024, following attempts by authorities in Abuja to collapse his hard-earned oil refinery by a statement that its products are substandard, Dangote let the cat out of the bag as he complained saying the same Nigeria that should support him as indigenous investor to grow was making efforts to kill his achievements.

He then made the mother of all revelations when he tried to let the world know how the establishment of his refinery had no imput enough from anyone to kill it for whatever reason.

He said the land he used to build the Dangote Refinery was not for free, saying that he paid $100 million to Lagos State Government for the land. He made some other revelations but the one that bothered Lagos State natives has been the payment of $100 million and yet owners of the land, not only they were not compensated but also the vocal among them, Tunji Disu, who led protest seeking for justice for them, was killed without consequences till date.

In a letter addressed to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, jointly signed by the group’s President, Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele, Secretary General, Mr. Yomi Tokosi, and dated Monday July 29, 2024, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation requested Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide clarifications on the alleged $100 million transaction involving purchase of the 7,000 acres of land by the Dangote Refinery.

The organisation demanded transparency regarding the transaction in the letter, titled, “URGENT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THE ALLEGED CLAIM OF PURCHASE OF ABOUT 7000 ACRES OF LAND BY THE DANGOTE REFINERY FROM THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT,” referencing the Aliko Dangote’s statement of Saturday July 21, 2024, claiming the purchase.

The group emphasised its mission to enhance social order for Lagos State indigenes, preserve indigenous culture, and advocate for the inclusion of Lagos indigenes in the state’s power and socio-economic development.

The Foundation expressed concerns over the lack of public awareness and benefits from the alleged $100 million transaction, particularly for the host communities in Ibeju/Lekki, which reportedly have not received compensation or basic amenities.

Citing sections of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation demanded detailed information on the transaction, including the account used to receive the money and how the funds were expended.

“We are members of the De RENNAISASANCE PATRIOTS FOUNDATION, an organization whose Objectives includes amongst others enhancing, promoting and advocating a better social order for the indigenes of Lagos State. We also encourage preserving Indigenous Culture, and the use of indigenous languages while further advocating for the inclusion of Lagos Indigenes in Power and general economic and socio economic development of Lagos State at large.

“Alhaji Aliko Dangote on the 21st day of July, 2024 claimed in one of his broadcast that he purchased the about 7000 Acres of land he used for his refinery from Lagos State Government and that he purchased the land for 100,000,000:00 (One Hundred Million) USD.

“De RENNAISANCE PATRIOTS FOUNDATION is 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 benefitting from it particularly the host communities in Ibeju-Lekki.

“As at press time, communities in Ibeju-Lekki were not known to have been paid compensation or provided with basic social amenities deom the alleged 100,000,000:00USD (One Hundred Million United States Dollars) as claimed by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

“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.

“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 7 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, or a part thereof, the institution shall state in the notice given to the Applicant the grounds for the refusal, the specific provision of 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.

“(4) Where the government or public institution fails to give access to information or record applied for under this Act or part thereof within the time set out in this Act, the institution shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to have refused to give access.”

They called for a response within seven days and warned that failure to comply would result in approaching the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or seeking an Order of Mandamus in court against the state government.

The letter concluded with an assurance of cooperation and readiness to provide necessary assistance, expressing hope for a favourable response.