Tinubu Cracks Down On Lagos Land Racketeering, Orders Revocation Of Illegal Approvals Amid Probe By Federal Investigators | Sahara Reporters
The President made this announcement last Thursday during the official commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate revocation of approvals and licenses granted for unauthorised islands and developments on federal road setbacks and infrastructure corridors in Lagos.
The President made this announcement last Thursday during the official commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road.
On May 20, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that federal investigators had uncovered what appears to be one of the largest land racketeering and money laundering schemes, involving the Lagos State Government and some federal officials.
Tinubu cautioned state governors against issuing licenses for such projects without involving the federal government, saying, “I’ve directed the Honourable Minister of Works to work with the Surveyor General of the Federation and all the state governors.”
Tinubu said the “legacy project” must be protected, adding that there must be a “reasonable setback for future expansion and infrastructure building to enhance our road architecture and return on investment”.
“Please, our dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaborating with the Surveyor General of the Federation and the Ministry of Works on these roads. Please, I appeal to you,” he said.
“I’m glad the deputy governor of Lagos State is here. Take it that we will revoke all those approvals given on the setback already given and please note that we are very serious about it.”
“No more approval for those islands being created illegally,” he added.
The May 20 report by SaharaReporters revealed that the exposure of land racketeering in the state had led to an official investigation into the extensive fraud.
SaharaReporters obtained a document showing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a letter dated May 16, 2025, formally requested detailed records from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regarding questionable land allocations to 14 companies across prime areas in Lagos, including Banana Island, Lekki, Osborne Foreshore, and Lagos Lagoon.
The letter, signed by the Acting Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Ahmed Ghali, and marked CR:3000/EFCC/LS.2/ADM/KOO/VOL.
The letter noted that the commission was investigating an “alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering”.
The agency requested that it be furnished with Certified True Copies (CTCs) of specific documents to aid its investigation. These include confirmation on whether any of the listed companies were granted Development Permits for the shoreline, as well as copies of all relevant Development Permits or Certifications, Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), and title documents for the allocated shoreline.
Additionally, it asked for copies of all layout plans related to the allocated shoreline, along with details such as location, size, purpose of allocation, and whether each allocation was acquired, donated, or transferred from another government agency.
The agency also requested information on equity contributions and joint venture partners, full terms and conditions of the Development Permit—especially revenue-sharing arrangements—and any other relevant details that could assist the Commission in its investigation.
The agency noted that the request was made pursuant to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC listed 14 companies allegedly involved in land racketeering and money laundering. Among them is Walaris Nigeria Limited, which reportedly acquired 572.735 hectares of land at Lagos Lagoon.
Tafba Nigeria Limited is also named, having allegedly obtained five hectares and an additional 55.8 hectares of land in the same area.
Others include Pranav Contracting Nigeria Limited, which got 254 hectares of land at Banana Island; Meroni Nigeria Limited, which got 25.33 hectares of land at Lagos Lagoon; Marlot Eagle Island, which got 100.060 hectares of land at Banana Island; and Marina Del Ray, which got 68 hectares of land at Water Lagoon.
Others listed are Marathon Infrastructure West Africa Limited, which got 10.27 hectares of land at Osborn Foreshore Phase; Spa Dredging Company Limited, which got 80.997 hectares of land at Orange Island; Bull Construction Limited, with 20 hectares of land at Onikoyi Waterfront; Banana Island Higherend Castle Limited, with 96 hectares of land at Banana Island.
The others are Grace Waters, which was allocated 115 hectares of land in Lekki (phase not specified); Grace Point, which received 100 hectares in Lekki; and Gold Island, which reportedly acquired 261.403 hectares of land in Banana Island.
