Officials of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and AIC Limited, exchange blows over Lagos airport land

On Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013, some officials of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, brought in earth moving equipment and pulled down the wire fence surrounding a piece of land which was concessioned to AIC Limited on 17 February 1998 for the construction of a five-star hotel and a modern shopping centre. FAAN claimed it wanted to clear the land of grasses and snakes for safety reasons and use it for massive developmental projects after it secured a favourable court ruling at the Lagos Federal High Court on 19 June 2013.

FAAN officials did not pass through the main entrance to the site, instead they pulled down the barbed wire fence to gain access into a land that has been in contention for 15 years.

Akande and AIC staff came to the site after they learned that FAAN was clearing it. They re-erected the barbed wire fence which was pulled down by FAAN. Shortly after that FAAN stormed the site and began pulling it down again. After resistance from AIC staff, FAAN brought in thugs and a free for all began.

“You have now witnessed the recklessness of FAAN by yourself,” Harry Akande, businessman and politician who had secured a billion dollar financing promise from local and foreign investors to win the AIC bid in 1998 told journalists after stones were thrown at him and press men by the Chief Security Officer at FAAN.

Blows and slaps were exchanged, especially by FAAN, tearing the suit of Olu Akande, the businessman’s son, assaulting others and threatening to break the Sport Utility Vehicles belonging to Akande.

Niyi Akande, General Manager Administration and Business Development told journalists at the site that after appealing 19 June ruling status quo should be maintained. 

“Even a small boy knows that once there’s an appeal to a ruling the status quo should be maintained,” he said.

culled from PM News