Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN), alongside the family of Nigeria’s foremost labour leader, Dr Michael Imoudu, has rejected a ₦23 million compensation offered by the Lagos State Government for a parcel of land in Surulere, Lagos, which they say is worth about ₦250 million.
Falana made the disclosure in Lagos at the 20th posthumous anniversary of Pa Imoudu, attended by federal government officials, labour leaders, veterans and activists.
The disputed land, located around Ojuelegba, was allegedly acquired by the state government for the construction of a bus terminal.
Falana said the offer was unconstitutional and unjust.
“We rejected it because it is not in line with Section 44(1) of the Constitution, which requires just and fair compensation for compulsory acquisition of property. On that basis, we have gone to court,” he said.
He appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, to intervene and resolve the matter amicably.
Falana also proposed that the land be used to honour the late labour icon.
“We are calling on the Lagos State Government, together with the family, to put up a befitting structure in the name of Michael Imoudu and turn it into a labour museum.
It will be the greatest gift to his memory,” he said.
Speaking for the family, Dr Veronica Omosun-Imoudu said they had formally appealed to the governor for an alternative parcel of land to enable them realise their long-standing plan of building a Michael Imoudu Labour Museum.
“The land is valued at almost ₦300 million, yet the state government is offering us ₦23 million.
We wrote to Governor Sanwo-Olu on November 15, 2024, appealing for an alternative land, and the letter was duly received,” she said.
The family and their legal representatives also accused a traditional ruler in Lagos of illegally taking over another Imoudu family property, calling on the state government to intervene and protect the family’s rights.
Pa Imoudu, fondly called “Baba,” is widely regarded as Nigeria’s number one labour leader and a key figure in the country’s labour and nationalist struggles.
