Monarch’s Plea: Stop Expatriate’s Claim on Topo Island, Ancestral Land of Badagry, Lagos State

The traditional ruler of Topo, a suburb of Badagry, has called for intervention in a land dispute involving an expatriate claiming ownership of Topo Island, the ancestral land of the people of Badagry.

Chief Oluwadami Avoseh, the monarch of the region, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop the expatriate, Satish Sterling, from laying claim to the land.

The island in question, once leased to the Catholic Church in the 18th century for a period of 90 years, has since become a significant source of coconut and a popular tourist attraction.

However, the land has remained in dispute since the expiration of the lease agreement many years ago.

Chief Avoseh emphasized that the Topo people have not sold or given the island to anyone since the agreement expired, maintaining that it is still a part of their heritage and serves as a vital source of income through tourism.

The monarch stressed that the people of Topo will not stand idly by while their ancestral land is claimed by an outsider.

The traditional ruler called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene and prevent any further encroachment on the land by the expatriate, Satish Sterling.

He emphasized that the Topo people have not given up their rights to the island and are determined to protect their heritage and their future.

The dispute over Topo Island highlights the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities in Nigeria and around the world as they struggle to protect their ancestral lands and cultural heritage from outside interests.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of the Topo people and their relationship with the Lagos State government.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Governor Sanwo-Olu will heed the monarch’s plea and take action to protect the rights of the Topo people and preserve their ancestral land for future generations.