Indigenes under the aegis of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide detailed information regarding the sale of land in the Lekki Free Trade Zone to Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Refinery.
This demand follows revelations by Dangote that he paid $100 million for approximately 7,000 acres to establish his $20 billion refinery, contradicting claims that the land was offered for free or at a subsidized rate.
In a letter signed by the Foundation’s secretary general, the indigenes expressed their concern about the transparency of the transaction.
They questioned why the sale was not disclosed to the public and how the proceeds from the land sale were utilized, particularly given the lack of benefits for the host communities in Ibeju-Lekki.
“We are bewildered on why the notice of the purchase was not brought to the attention of the 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,” the letter stated.
Citing Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the group demanded detailed information on the transaction and how the funds were managed.
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 seven days after the application is received, make the information available to the Applicant,” the letter emphasized.
The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation threatened to escalate the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or seek an order of Mandamus from the court if the government fails to respond within the stipulated seven days.
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