SNL LAND FRAUD CASE

SWEET NUTRITION NIGERIA LIMITED IN LANDED PROPERTY FRAUD

Fraud cases in Nigeria has a monumental place in Her legal archives. So much so, are land-related cases.

 A country like this great African nation in this present time and day--with Her economic challenges--cannot afford to have threats to Her international relationships. Relationship with prospecting countries seeking to partner with Her, most especially in aspects of the economy that needs development; and bringing in their nationals as foreign investors.

Such threats to a nation's economy, particularly in our own case is that of FRAUD , and the greedy and selfish culture of not following DUE PROCESS.

Fraudulent practice, and compromise in following due process in business transactions and in affairs generally, be it with individuals, corporations, civil servants and even governments can bring sour outcomes. And should indeed! Especially in a country with a government with ZERO TOLERANCE for corrupt practices.

A recent case in this light is one of Sweet Nutrition Limited manufacturer of the household name Mr.Chef's cooking seasoning, iodized table salt etc. formally Bayswater Industries Limited with its location at Sango-Otta plot 34/km 38: the immense parcel of land over which it now stands trial in court,for the illegal acquisition.

                                                               SNL'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE FRAUDULENT LAND ACQUISITION

The following will show excerpts from Statement of Claim tendered in court against Defendants, listing Claimants (3 in number) as children/beneficiaries and family of the late lawful owner of the illegally acquired parcel of land in question. And Defendants as: 

1st Defendant: Bayswater Industries Limited; 2nd Defendant: The Probate Registrar, Highcourt, Abeokuta; 

3rd Defendant: unknown persons-

With reference to Items from the statement of claim and claimants' witness statement on oath. 

The property forming subject matter of this suit is situate at Km 38 Abeokuta-Lagos road, Sango Otta, Ogun State. Coverad by Certificate of Occupancy registered as No.33 page 33 in volume 122 and No.34 on page 34 in vol. 122 of the Lands Registry in the office at Abeokuta respectively are pleaded (Item 7).

Item 10 states: The 1st Defendant is a Limited Liability Company registerd under the Federal Republic of Nigeria having its principal place of business at km38, Abeokuta-Lagos Road, opposite Araromi village, Sango Otta, Ogun State.

Item 11 states: The 2nd Defendant is an institution under Highcourt legally created to supervise process for identifying and gathering the assets of deceased person.

Unknown persons settling on the same land without "authorization and or consent of the family" are the 3rd Defendants in Item 12.

In summary, with reference to subsequent Items in the Claimants' Statements tendered in this case on the discovery of the family of Late Mr. Adebisi Kayode Salako Ogunrinde the property owner (who died intestate) that unknown people had been intermeddling on the property, necessary moves were made to look into the state of things. And on realising the wrongs, letters was sent by the family's solicitor to the illegal occupants including the first Defendant, informing them of anomalies perpetrated on the land and against the legal owners, to which Bayswater Limited countered in reply that "claimants' properties were not purchased from unknown people who were not members of the family."

On this the family took further legal steps in which the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police was petitioned (petition of Olamiloju Adeyanju&Co. dated 29 July 2015) to cause investigation into the fraud commited by Bayswater Industries Limited (SNL) and other impostors in the transfer of the property.

Petition directed to the Commisioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi Lagos, subsequently revealed those who impersonated members of the family to obtain Letter of Administration as well as signed documents to process the shady, illegal transfer of ownership.

The impostors (three in persons) gave useful information to the Police Force to the effect that they impersonated Claimants and children/beneficiaries. 

They (the impostors) revealed to the police the whole process in which two of the late Mr Adebisi's second wife's sons - Samuel Adedamola Ogunrinde (late), along witth one of his brothers Taiwo (who impersonated one of the claimants Adeola) - connived with two other impostors in the fraud. And with the full and active knowledge of solicitors to the first defenders (Bayswater Ltd.) to acquire Letter of Administration granted on the names of the impostors. And of course all of this without any knowledge or consent of the claimants and anyone of the rest of the family and legal beneficiaries.                                                                                                                                                                        

To this item 29 states: Evidence/Particular of foul play, fraud, collusion and conspiracy.

This case is presently dated for trial on the 19th of January 2021.   

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