A Lagos-based non-profit organisation, Psychological and Environmental Growth Initiative for Youngsters (MEDIC), has known as on the Lagos State authorities and related environmental and regulation enforcement companies to get well its donor-funded property following the termination of its lease at Elegushi Seashore, Lagos.
In a press release signed by its Head of Admin, Media and Communications, Mr Vincent Onyama, MEDIC mentioned it was “deeply involved over the alleged seizure and business use of its charity property by Field Mall/SOL Seashore and related events,” noting that the property in query was acquired by means of donor assist and meant for public environmental training.
Based in 2011, he mentioned MEDIC is a community-driven non-governmental organisation selling tree planting, recycling and ocean conservation, including that it gained public consideration for its Youngsters Seashore Backyard venture, launched in 2015 to show environmental consciousness to schoolchildren and supply inexperienced jobs for ladies and youth by means of recycling and coastal clean-ups.
MEDIC mentioned it moved the Youngsters Seashore Backyard to Elegushi Seashore in 2020 and operated there, “in full compliance with its lease obligations, together with upkeep prices and agreed-upon visitor levies.”
Hassle reportedly started in 2024 when the seaside’s lessor entered a brand new partnership with SOL Seashore by Field Mall “with out prior discover to relocate its tools or inform its donors.”
MEDIC alleged that the battle escalated in early 2025 after Field Mall ordered the organisation to take away a 20-foot recycling container, donated by the Nigerian Bottling Firm, inside three days or threat having it dismantled.
“MEDIC’s Board of Trustees subsequently resolved to relocate all property to a brand new web site at Akodo Ise, Ibeju-Lekki.
“On March 31, 2025, the organisation formally notified Field Mall in writing, requesting supervised entry to retrieve its property, valued at ₦44,046,500 (as of September 2024).
“Whereas Field Mall acknowledged receipt of this letter, subsequent retrieval makes an attempt have been obstructed and its workers have been allegedly harassed through the course of,” Onyama mentioned.
In its assertion, Field Mall maintained that each one the property “discovered on web site on the time of possession” belonged to it, a declare MEDIC strongly disputed, arguing that the gadgets have been donor-funded and held in charitable belief.
The non-profit group additional alleged that Field Mall “has since been utilizing these property for personal acquire, regardless of ongoing police interventions and petitions filed with related authorities.
“Our organisation has spent over a decade constructing environmental training and livelihood applications for kids and girls by means of community-driven conservation.
“It’s heartbreaking to see donor-funded work, together with timber planted and property bought for public profit, being commercialised with out transparency or consent,” the assertion quoted MEDIC’s founder, Ms Doyinsola Ogunye, as saying.
Reacting to the allegations, the corporate’s spokesperson, Ms Bolaji Ehinsanmi mentioned, “We’re conscious of the false and defamatory claims being circulated by Ms Doyinsola Ogunye relating to alleged “property” and “timber” at Elegushi Seashore.
“For the document, the matter she refers to was absolutely addressed by means of the Lagos State Police Command and the AIG mediation, the place she signed and confirmed in writing that she had retrieved all her timber and supplies from the property.
“This subject was initially between her and the owner, not BoxMall or its administration. Regardless of this decision, Ms Ogunye has continued to harass and defame our firm on-line and in skilled boards, apparently for {financial} acquire and to stress us into additional concessions.
“BoxMall and SOL Seashore Elegushi function with full transparency and documented approvals. We’ve got no excellent claims or liabilities to Ms Ogunye. Any additional public defamation will likely be met with authorized motion for harassment, defamation and character damage. We encourage all trade members to ignore her false statements and rely solely on verified documentation and the official police document of decision.”
