Shorunke told our correspondent that he bought the property sometime in 1979, and had paid various sums of money into the Federal Government coffers.
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He said he had to go away in 2015. He added that when he came back, he found out that his property had be thrown out of the house by some yet-to-be-identified persons, who also rented out the apartment to another person.
The former director said his cars and a tricycle he bought for his business were also taken away.
The 65-year-old man said, left with nowhere else to go, he took shelter in an open space beside the apartment.
Residents of the area had alerted PUNCH Metro to the declining health condition of the Abeokuta, Ogun State indigene, lamenting that his family members had deserted him.
They explained that Shorunke was cheated due to his failing mental health, adding that he had valid documents for the house.
A woman, who claimed to have known the victim for more than 20 years, said those who took over the property had attempted ejecting him about four years earlier, but the plot was resisted by residents.
She explained that the men returned when Shorunke was away and removed all his property.
She said, “I have known Baba (Shorunke) since I came here. We all started living in this FESTAC Town after the place was built to commemorate the FESTAC 77 celebration. He was living alone, but his family members were always visiting him then.
“He had three wives at the time. He also bought three cars and had other property. By all standards, he was a rich man. His first child, who is late now, was a lecturer.
“He was a level 16 officer at the Federal Ministry of Works. We observed that his work took him around the country. However, he always came home to celebrate the Christmas every year.
“About four years ago, some people came and attempted to force him out of the house. The community came out to fight for him and the matter was taken to the FESTAC Police Division, where it was resolved after he presented his documents.
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“About two years ago, Baba went away. It was around that time that the people came again and broke down his doors and removed all his property. They were about 10.”
It was learnt that after the apartment had been taken over by a new owner, Shorunke returned sometime in December, 2016.
He was said to have become helpless and started sleeping outside.
Another resident and a neighbour said the community was concerned because aside from being exposed to cold every night, Shorunke had no member of his family around him.
“His family members are nowhere to be found. They are the people that should be fighting his cause. We learnt that his wife, Mama Bunmi, sells clothes on the Lagos Island. He told us that some of his children are living in Ilorin, Kwara State. This is where he sleeps, eats and does every other things. This is a bad way to treat people who devoted their lives to this nation,” he said.
PUNCH Metro saw a letter of allocation, dated May 2, 1979, in Shorunke’s name for 2nd Avenue, 21 Road, J Close, Block 2, FESTAC Town, Lagos.
Another document, signed by the Head of Accounts, Federal Ministry of Housing, showed that N238,931 were deducted from Shorunke’s salary between November 2005 and October 2006 as part of monthly deductions for the “house purchase.”
A document, dated December 3, 2007, also showed Shorunke had sworn to an affidavit to enable him to get a Certificate of Occupancy for the property.
A First Bank of Nigeria Plc receipt, dated April 12, 2012, indicated that he paid a sum of N10,000 to the Secretary, Federal Government Landed Property. The reason for the payment was not stated.
However, our correspondent saw a photocopied letter showing that Shorunke’s property were thrown out on November 11, 2015.
Three people were identified in the letter – a sheriff, a plaintiff and a policeman – who appended their signatures to the letter.
According to the letter, 18 items were removed from the apartment, including three generators, three ceiling fans, a refrigerator and a television set, among others. There was no mention of any automobile.
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Shorunke was not coherent, but residents described it as a lapse in his mental condition.
Our correspondent was, however, able to gather that he was among the first occupants of FESTAC Town due to his position as a worker at the ministry of works.
Shorunke said, “I have all my documents. I went for another project, and it took a long time to finish. When I returned, I saw that my house had been taken over.
“I don’t know where my cars are. Don’t worry about my wife, leave her out of this. As for my children, they are enjoying themselves in Ilorin.
“I have decided in the meantime to construct a shelter here where I can sleep, but they won’t allow me. Mr. Journalist, I don’t know why.”
The President of the FESTAC Residents Association, Mr. Shola Fakorede, said, “I really don’t know the true situation of things and I don’t think I know the man personally, probably because he has not attended any of our meetings.”
When contacted, the Zonal Manager, Federal Housing Authority, Mrs. Aisha Onotu, also said she was not aware of the case.
She, however, insisted on seeing our correspondent at the agency’s office in Abuja.
“I don’t know about the incident. But I need to see you before I can talk to you,” she said.
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