A retired Chief Lecturer of Yaba College of Technology, Mrs. Vivian Osemwegie, has filed a lawsuit against the institution, alleging the unlawful demolition of her property located within the YABATECH staff quarters.
The octogenarian has taken her case to the Federal High Court, naming the college’s Governing Council, the Rector Dr. Olubunmi Owoso, Engineer O. A. Olabode, and Mrs. Agbaje Williams as respondents.
Represented by her lawyer, E. O. Etomi of FRA Williams Chambers, Mrs. Osemwegie is seeking an extension to apply for the annulment of an order made by Justice Dipeolu on August 30, 2024. This order allegedly granted permission to the college to enforce a previous judgment issued on February 2, 2007, enabling them to take possession of her property.
- Reliefs Sought in Court
Mrs. Osemwegie’s motion requests: - An extension of time to contest the August 30 order.
- The annulment of the court order granting police assistance to seize her property.
- A stay on the enforcement of the 2007 judgment, citing it as unenforceable.
- Cancellation of any execution based on what she claims is a “non-existent” judgment.
In her submission, she alleges that the court was misled into enforcing the 2007 judgment, arguing that it contained no orders against her and that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction in the matter. She also stated that she was not notified about the motion for enforcement, which she says violates her rights.
Petition to Police for Investigation
Beyond the court case, Mrs. Osemwegie has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the Force CID, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, demanding an investigation into what she describes as “fraudulent interference with justice” and “willful damage to property.” In the petition, submitted on October 10, 2024, she claimed that on October 2, unknown armed men forcefully evicted her from her residence, destroyed her belongings, and left her homeless.
Her lawyer, Asia E. Elvis, explained that the 2007 judgment was misrepresented to forcibly take over the property. He emphasized that Mrs. Osemwegie legally acquired the property from the Federal Government, and YABATECH should be aware of her ownership. The petition suggests that the eviction was orchestrated by land grabbers rather than the institution itself.
“Our client, who is over 80 years old, has been rendered homeless with her belongings destroyed due to a purported non-existent judgment,” the petition reads. Mrs. Osemwegie has requested the AIG’s urgent intervention to investigate those involved and verify the legitimacy of the institution’s claim.
The court has yet to set a hearing date for the motion, and the respondents have not filed any response as of the time of this report.
