- ‘Pay Just and Fair Compensation’: Falana, Imoudu Family Take Lagos Government to Court
- Falana suggested that the land be used to establish a labour museum named after the late Pa Michael Imoudu
- Falana alleged that the state government acquired the land in Ojuelegba
Human rights activist Femi Falana and the family of Nigeria’s foremost labour leader, Dr Michael Imoudu, have rejected an offer of N23 million as compensation for land allegedly acquired by the Lagos State Government, estimated to be worth at least N250 million.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the matter was raised over the weekend during the 20th posthumous anniversary of Dr Michael Imoudu in Lagos, where top labour functionaries, trade union veterans, and human rights activists gathered to celebrate the late labour icon.
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Falana, alongside fellow labour and human rights lawyer Femi Aborisade and the Imoudu family, alleged that the state government acquired the land in Ojuelegba, Surulere, in the public interest to build a bus terminal.
Speaking at the event, Falana explained the basis for rejecting the offer:
“The offer is not in line with Section 44, sub-section 1 of the Constitution, which provides that in a compassionate acquisition of anybody’s property, you must pay just and fair compensation. On that basis, we have gone to court.”
He further appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, to intervene. Falana suggested that the land be used to establish a labour museum named after the late Pa Michael Imoudu, in honour of his contributions to Nigeria’s labour movement.
In a related statement, Dr Veronica Omosun-Imoudu reiterated the family’s appeal to the governor to allocate alternative land, noting the inadequacy of the current offer.
“We intended to use the Ojuelegba land to build the Michael Imoudu Labour Museum, but the state government is offering N23 million for a land valued at almost N300 million. We had submitted an appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu, which was received and stamped in his office on November 15, 2024, requesting alternative land allocation,” she said.
The family’s demand underscores a broader call for just compensation and preservation of Nigeria’s labour heritage, with advocates urging the government to honour the legacy of Dr Imoudu through proper recognition.
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