By John Alechenu
ABUJA — Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged deployment of federal officials and security personnel to plots in the Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki, Lagos State.
The petition, dated October 14, 2026, was acknowledged by the ICPC on October 16. It was signed by CASER’s Executive Director, Mr Frank Tietie.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Tietie alleged that military and police personnel, accompanied by civilian agents said to be acting under the authority of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surveyor Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, entered Plots 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II, on August 15, 2026.
According to copies of the petition made available at the briefing, the team allegedly removed the signboard of BraveMatt Property and Investment Limited, which CASER identified as occupying the property, placed two 40-foot shipping containers on the site and threatened workers.
The group alleged that the intervention involved the use of federal personnel and resources to advance private commercial interests.
CASER cited a formal response dated September 1, 2026, signed by Amali Ati on behalf of the Surveyor-General, which it said indicated that the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) acted following representations by Industrial and General Insurance Limited over claims asserted on behalf of 44 Hospitality Limited, also known as Four H Limited or 4H Nigeria Limited.
The organisation questioned the involvement of federal authorities in a dispute between private parties.
In the petition, CASER argued that OSGOF lacked the statutory authority to act as a debt or land recovery agency or to deploy armed personnel for self-help.
“OSGOF has no statutory power to function as a debt or land recovery agency, nor does it have legal authority to deploy armed personnel or engage in self-help,” the petition stated.
The group contended that if the alleged deployment of public resources to dispossess one private entity for the benefit of another were established, it could amount to conferring a corrupt advantage under Section 19 of the ICPC Act.
It urged the commission to investigate the conduct of the Surveyor-General and other officials allegedly involved, invoking the commission’s investigative mandate under Section 6 of the Act.
CASER also requested an audit of OSGOF’s financial and operational records, including task-force authorisations, security requests, vehicle logbooks and expenditure approvals.
The group further asked the ICPC to invite directors and representatives of Industrial and General Insurance Limited and 44 Hospitality Limited to establish whether any benefits, inducements or improper arrangements were extended to public officials.
It also called for a review of relevant bank records and financial intelligence to determine whether any direct or indirect payments or logistical funding were made, and urged prosecution if the evidence warranted it.
The petitioner acknowledged that the underlying boundary and possession dispute was pending before the Lagos State High Court, noting that neither CASER nor OSGOF was a party to the case.
“This criminal petition is not asking the ICPC to determine land ownership or title,” the petition stated, adding that its complaint concerned the alleged misuse of public office and federal resources to advance a private interest.
The Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the private firms mentioned in the petition had yet to publicly respond to the allegations as of press time.
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