Fake News Busted: Ariori Not Wanted, Says Counsel

Counsel to Lagos businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Prosperous Ariori Golden Venture Limited, Engr. Abiodun Ariori, has debunked reports linking his client to land grabbing and the recent violent clash at Owode Onirin, Lagos, which reportedly claimed three lives.

In a statement on Friday, Mr. Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, counsel to Ariori, described the allegations as false and misleading, insisting that his client is neither a land grabber nor a wanted person.

According to Owolabi, Ariori has always acted strictly under the law, relying on valid court judgments that awarded ownership of the disputed Owode land to the Olowu family. He explained that the family engaged Ariori to enforce the judgments, a process which was carried out with the knowledge of the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, and other relevant authorities.

“Engr. Ariori is not a land grabber. He operates under multiple valid judgments, including appellate court decisions, which guide his activities on the land. At no point has he taken the law into his own hands,” the lawyer stressed.

Owolabi recalled that previous disputes between the Olowu family, Agbeyi-Ketu LCDA, and market traders had been tabled before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, and later resolved at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN). Also present at the meeting was senior lawyer and counsel to the traders, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

At that meeting, it was reportedly agreed that the disputed land be shared 60–40 between the Olowu family (represented by Ariori) and Agbeyi-Ketu LCDA. The Attorney-General further clarified that allocation letters issued to traders did not confer legal ownership.

Despite this resolution, Owolabi alleged, the traders went ahead to destroy properties belonging to Ariori and the Olowu family. He emphasized that Ariori was not at the scene of the recent violence and had no role in the unrest.

The lawyer also dismissed claims that his client had been declared wanted, describing such reports as baseless.

“No one can be declared wanted without a court order. My client has consistently obeyed the law and cooperated with security agencies. If invited, he is ready to present all documents proving his lawful possession,” Owolabi stated.

He added that those directly linked to the violence had already been summoned by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and insisted that Ariori should not be falsely indicted.