The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding a probe into the alleged misuse of federal personnel and public resources in a property dispute involving the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) and private interests in Lagos State.
The petition named the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surveyor Abdulganiyu Adebomehin, and other officials, urging the anti-corruption agency to investigate the circumstances surrounding an operation at Plots 5, 6, 7 and 8, Maiyegun Tourism Zone, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II.
Dated October 14, 2026, and acknowledged by the ICPC on October 16, the petition was signed by CASER’s Executive Director, Frank Tietie.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Tietie said the complaint followed an incident on August 15, 2026, when military and police personnel, accompanied by civilian agents allegedly acting under the authority of the Surveyor-General, visited the disputed property.
According to documents presented by CASER, those involved in the operation allegedly removed a signboard belonging to BraveMatt Property and Investment Limited, which claims an interest in the property, and placed two 40-foot shipping containers on the site.
The organisation further alleged that workers at the location were threatened during the operation, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the deployment of security personnel and other government resources.
CASER urged the ICPC to establish whether the operation was consistent with the statutory responsibilities of the Surveyor-General’s office and whether public resources were deployed appropriately in a dispute involving private interests.
The organisation cited a letter dated September 1, 2026, signed by Amali Ati on behalf of the Surveyor-General, as part of the documents requiring investigation.
It claimed that the correspondence indicated that OSGOF’s intervention followed representations by Industrial and General Insurance Limited, which reportedly made claims on behalf of 44 Hospitality Limited, also identified in some documents as Four H Limited or 4H Nigeria Limited.
CASER said the circumstances surrounding the intervention required clarification, particularly regarding the basis for the operation and whether the actions taken fell within the official responsibilities of the federal agency.
The organisation argued that the Office of the Surveyor-General was not empowered to function as a debt recovery or private land enforcement agency.
It therefore asked the ICPC to determine whether the deployment of federal personnel, vehicles and other public resources complied with applicable laws and established procedures.
In its petition, CASER also requested an investigation into possible violations of Section 19 of the ICPC Act, which addresses the abuse of office to confer corrupt or unfair advantages.
The group said its complaint was intended to establish the facts and determine whether any official misconduct or other offence had occurred.
Invoking the commission’s investigative powers under Section 6 of the ICPC Act, CASER urged the agency to investigate the conduct of the Surveyor-General and any other officials whose actions might be relevant to the matter.
It also called for an audit of OSGOF’s financial and operational records relating to the incident, including task-force authorisations, security requests, vehicle logbooks and expenditure approvals.
The organisation further asked the commission to invite directors and representatives of Industrial and General Insurance Limited and 44 Hospitality Limited to explain their roles in the events leading to the operation.
CASER urged the ICPC to establish whether any payments, inducements, logistical support or other arrangements existed between the private interests involved and relevant public officials.
It also requested an examination of relevant bank records and financial intelligence to determine whether any direct or indirect payments or benefits were exchanged in connection with the incident.
The organisation called for appropriate legal action if the investigation establishes evidence of an offence.
However, it stressed that the allegations should be independently investigated and the facts established by the relevant authorities.
CASER acknowledged that the underlying boundary and possession dispute was pending before the Lagos State High Court, noting that neither the organisation nor OSGOF was a party to the proceedings.
It said the petition was not intended to determine ownership of the disputed property or interfere with the court’s consideration of the case.
Rather, the group maintained that its complaint centred on whether public office and federal resources were properly used in connection with a dispute involving private parties.
CASER called on the ICPC to conduct an impartial investigation and establish whether the actions of the officials involved were consistent with their statutory responsibilities and the law.
