A property ownership dispute in Lagos has sparked a growing outcry after Moshood Jimoh, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, allegedly detained two lawyers, a property buyer, and three security guards despite a valid court judgment in favour of the property’s rightful owners.
The incident, which occurred on May 30, unfolded after the family of the late Michael Oyebola Idowu secured a court ruling against Continental Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited, owned by Prince Albert Awofisayo, over a property located at 381 Agege Motor Road, off Ilupeju Bypass in Mushin.
The Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yaba, in suit MCY/634/CIV/2023, ordered the eviction of the pharmaceutical company on December 20, 2024, following years of unpaid rent and legal tussles. The claimants, Comfort Majekodunmi, Moses Adebowale Idowu, Audry Adenike Leigh, and Emmanuel Adekoyejo Idowu—children of the late landlord—subsequently sold the property to Kazeem Alabi for N2.7 billion. Alabi paid N2 billion up front, with a balance to be paid later.
The family, accompanied by Alabi, his legal team, and agents, had visited the property at the end of May when they were confronted by officers from Mushin Police Station. They were subsequently arrested and taken to the police headquarters in Ikeja. Despite presenting legal documents—including the judgment and a certificate of execution—Commissioner Jimoh allegedly ordered their detention.
Lawyers Adekunle Lawal (for the family) and Oyewole Rahmon (for the buyer), along with buyer Kazeem Alabi and three guards, were detained. While the lawyers were released hours later following the intervention of a state lawmaker, Alabi was only released the following day due to a medical emergency. The security guards remained in detention for a week.
Speaking to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Lawal described the detention as “unlawful and without basis,” stating that no complaint had been filed against his clients and no formal petition was presented to justify their arrest.
The property’s legal history dates back to a lease agreement in 1957 between Hillmann and Littmann Nigeria Ltd. and the late Idowu. That agreement expired in 2007. Over time, the property passed through multiple subleases and ultimately came under the use of Awofisayo’s pharmaceutical company.
After Awofisayo’s company failed to pay the agreed N1 million annual rent between 2019 and 2023, the Idowu family pursued legal action. Despite being served hearing notices and filing a 19-paragraph defence, the company failed to appear in court to adopt its affidavit. This prompted Chief Magistrate P.E. Nwaka to enter judgment in favour of the Idowu family, granting them possession of the property starting January 1, 2025.
However, the family, through legal channels, executed possession earlier on February 18 with the support of a court sheriff and law enforcement. No resistance was encountered during the possession exercise.
After missing the January 1 deadline, Continental Pharmaceutical returned to court on February 1 to set aside the earlier judgment, citing lack of fair hearing. In a ruling delivered on July 23, Magistrate A.I.O. Alaka dismissed the motion, stating the company had been properly notified but failed to participate in the proceedings diligently.
“The applicant who was aware of the proceedings but stood by and watched events from a distance cannot be said to be diligent,” Alaka ruled, calling the claim of fair hearing denial “self-induced.”
On June 2, Lawal filed a formal petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), accusing CP Jimoh of using the police force to interfere in a civil matter. The petition also raised concern over the deteriorating health of Alabi during his 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 read in part.
Lawal also debunked claims made by Awofisayo that a separate court order allowed him to remain on the premises and pay rent to the court registrar, calling it a misinterpretation and demanding proof—which has not been provided.
When contacted by FIJ on July 22, CP Jimoh initially declined to respond directly, stating that it was “a police matter, not a personal one.” He referred the matter to the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, who has yet to issue an official response at the time of this report.
Following the July 23 ruling reaffirming the eviction, Lawal wrote to CP Jimoh demanding the immediate withdrawal of police officers and vehicles still stationed at the property. As of now, the family and buyer remain unable to access the premises they legally own.
The standoff has raised concerns over the growing trend of police interference in civil matters and the disregard for judicial decisions. The incident is drawing attention to the need for stronger institutional checks to ensure that court orders are respected and that the Nigerian police operate within legal boundaries.
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