The Daramola family of Bolorunpelu Onigbedu Village in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, has denied allegations made by ATCO Homes, a Lagos-based real estate development company, over claims of fraudulent land dealings
In a press statement made available to us, the family denounced a publication sponsored by ATCO Homes, which accused them of engaging in irregularities and fraudulent land dealings.
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Mr. Bartholomew Egbochie
According to the family, the publication credited to ATCO Homes’ Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bartholomew Egbochie, alleged that they altered the coordinates of land sold to the company by executing a Deed of Rectification without its consent.
Alfa Falilu Daramola
But reacting to the claims, the family’s spokesperson, Alfa Falilu Daramola, described ATCO’s allegations as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of their family while concealing the company’s own fraudulent land activities.
“ATCO Homes acquired only about five acres of land from the Daramola family through its representative, one Mr. Femi, who claimed to be acting as ATCO’s surveyor. I, Pa Ismail Olayiwola Daramola, never had any direct dealings with him, and no money was ever paid into my account,” the family head said.
He explained that although ATCO legitimately purchased a small portion of land from the late head of the Daramola family, approximately two acres, equivalent to twelve plots, the company has since attempted to unlawfully expand its boundaries far beyond what it bought.
The family accused ATCO Homes of “flying” new coordinates belonging to other legitimate allottees who have already perfected their land titles with Certificates of Occupancy, describing it as “a clear case of encroachment and conversion of other people’s property.”
They revealed that several petitions and warning letters had been sent to the Lagos State Land Bureau, Attorney General’s Office, and Registrar of Titles, cautioning against ATCO Homes’ alleged fraudulent attempts to register false survey coordinates.
Despite efforts to resolve the matter amicably, the Daramola family said ATCO Homes ignored invitations for dialogue and instead petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to the arrest and harassment of 83-year-old Pa Ismail Olayiwola Daramola, the new head of the family.
In a protest letter dated October 30, 2025, and addressed to the EFCC through their legal representatives at Dominance Legal Chambers, the family maintained that ATCO’s petition was malicious, unfounded, and purely commercial not criminal.
“The EFCC must not allow itself to be used as a tool to intimidate innocent citizens over civil land matters,” the petition read.
The family further alleged that ATCO Homes, through questionable land dealings and misrepresentation of documents, had defrauded several unsuspecting Nigerians by selling lands that do not legally belong to the company.
They called on the Lagos Zonal Commander of the EFCC, known for fairness and integrity, to review the case impartially and ensure that corrupt officers are not used to persecute members of the Daramola family.
The family also demanded a public retraction of ATCO Homes’ defamatory publication and urged relevant government authorities, including the Lagos State Ministry of Lands and the Office of the Attorney General to investigate the company’s alleged fraudulent survey practices.
Reaffirming their readiness to cooperate with any transparent investigation, the family emphasized that ATCO Homes’ legitimately acquired property remains intact, fully fenced, and undisturbed.
“We will not tolerate any act of fraud, encroachment, or defamation aimed at destroying our family’s name and legacy,” the statement concluded.
The Daramola family said their legal team is already pursuing the matter in court and expressed confidence that justice will ultimately prevail.
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