Counsel to Lagos businessman and CEO of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, Engr. Abiodun Ariori, has denied claims that his client is a land grabber or a wanted person. The clarification comes after reports linked Ariori to the recent violent clash at Owode Onirin, which reportedly left three people dead.
In a statement issued on Friday, Ariori’s lawyer, Mr. Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, stressed that his client has consistently acted within the law, operating under valid court judgments and orders concerning the disputed Owode land. The land, he explained, belongs to the Olowu family, who engaged Ariori to enforce court orders in their favor.
Oluwasegun further noted that both the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, and the Lagos State Government were aware of Ariori’s lawful activities. Market traders in the area, he added, were also cognizant that Ariori and the Olowu family were operating under the authority of valid legal judgments.
“Engr. Ariori is not a land grabber. He possesses multiple court judgments, including appellate rulings, that guide his operations on the Owode land. He has never taken the law into his own hands,” Oluwasegun said.
The lawyer recalled that when disputes arose between the Olowu family, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, and the traders, the matter was referred to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, and later discussed at a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN. Senior lawyer and counsel to the traders, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, was also present.
At that meeting, it was reportedly resolved that the land should be shared on a 60–40 basis between the Olowu family (represented by Ariori) and Agboyi-Ketu LCDA. The Attorney-General further clarified that allocation letters held by the marketers did not confer legal ownership.
Despite the resolution, Oluwasegun alleged that the marketers proceeded to destroy properties belonging to Ariori and the Olowu family. He emphasized that Ariori was not present during the recent violence and had no involvement in the chaos.
“No one can be declared wanted without a court order. My client has always obeyed the law and cooperated with security agencies. If summoned, he will appear with all necessary documents to prove his lawful possession,” Oluwasegun added. He noted that those directly involved in the riot have already been summoned by the Commissioner of Police.
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