Lagos Police Commissioner Accused of Illegally Detaining Lawyers and Property Buyer Despite Court-Ordered Eviction in N2.7bn Land Dispute

A property dispute in Lagos has triggered widespread condemnation after Moshood Jimoh, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, allegedly ordered the detention of two lawyers, a property buyer, and three security guards—despite a valid court judgment in favour of the property’s lawful owners.

The controversy stems from a longstanding legal battle over a building located at 381 Agege Motor Road, off Ilupeju Bypass in Mushin. On December 20, 2024, the Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yaba, under suit MCY/634/CIV/2023, granted an eviction order against Continental Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, owned by Prince Albert Awofisayo, for defaulting on rent payments.

Following the judgment, the property was sold for N2.7 billion to Kazeem Alabi, who paid N2 billion upfront, with a balance remaining. The transaction was carried out by the children of the late landlord, Michael Oyebola Idowu—Comfort Majekodunmi, Moses Adebowale Idowu, Audry Adenike Leigh, and Emmanuel Adekoyejo Idowu.

On May 30, Alabi, accompanied by his lawyers and security personnel, visited the premises but was confronted by officers from the Mushin Police Station. They were arrested and transferred to the police headquarters in Ikeja, even after presenting legal documents, including the court judgment and certificate of execution. CP Jimoh allegedly ordered their detention.

Lawyers Adekunle Lawal (representing the family) and Oyewole Rahmon (representing the buyer), along with Alabi and three security guards, were held. While the lawyers were released later that day following the intervention of a state lawmaker, Alabi was only released the next day due to a medical emergency. The guards remained in custody for a full week.

Lawal condemned the arrests as baseless and unlawful, pointing out that no complaint or formal petition had been filed to justify police action.

The property’s legal background dates to a 1957 lease agreement between Hillmann and Littmann Nigeria Ltd. and the late Idowu. After the lease expired in 2007, the property changed hands multiple times, eventually coming under the control of Awofisayo’s company.

Despite owing four years of unpaid rent—at N1 million annually—between 2019 and 2023, Continental Pharmaceutical failed to appear in court to defend its position. Chief Magistrate P.E. Nwaka ruled in favour of the Idowu family, granting them possession effective January 1, 2025. However, the property was lawfully repossessed earlier on February 18 with court and police support, and without resistance.

Continental Pharmaceutical later sought to set aside the judgment on claims of not being heard. But on July 23, Magistrate A.I.O. Alaka dismissed the application, ruling that the company had received proper notice but deliberately failed to engage.

“The applicant who was aware of the proceedings but stood by and watched events from a distance cannot be said to be diligent,” Magistrate Alaka stated, describing the claim of a denied fair hearing as “self-induced.”

In response to the arrests, Lawal filed a petition on June 2 to the Inspector General of Police, accusing CP Jimoh of using his office to interfere in a civil matter. He also raised concern about Alabi’s health during detention and demanded disciplinary action against the commissioner.

“There was no petition written to his office, no evidence of wrongdoing by the buyer, and no justification for detaining legal practitioners lawfully performing their duties,” the petition stated.

Lawal also rejected Awofisayo’s claims that a separate court order allowed him to remain on the premises and pay rent to the court registrar, demanding evidence, which has yet to be produced.

When contacted by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on July 22, CP Jimoh declined to offer direct comment and referred inquiries to the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who had not issued a response as of the time of this report.

Following the July 23 ruling that reaffirmed the eviction, Lawal wrote to CP Jimoh demanding the immediate withdrawal of police presence from the property. However, as of now, the family and buyer have been unable to access the premises they legally own.

The incident has reignited debate over police overreach in civil matters and the apparent disregard for judicial authority. Many are calling for stronger safeguards to ensure law enforcement respects court rulings and stays within its legal mandate.