A tenant residing in Ilupeju, Lagos, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he describes as an unlawful attempt to forcibly remove him from his residence by a property buyer allegedly acting in concert with law enforcement officers.
Vincent Uba, the tenant, made the appeal through his legal representative, Ogedi Ogu, requesting an immediate investigation into the alleged intimidation, harassment, and disruption of residence at 5, Association Avenue, Ilupeju.
According to the petition, events escalated on May 28, 2025, when an individual claiming ownership of the building reportedly entered the premises without prior notice, damaged the property’s gates, and blocked all access points by offloading truckloads of sand, effectively trapping residents inside and outside the compound.
The lawyer alleged that efforts to reach the purported new owner during the standoff were unsuccessful. He also claimed that police officers were involved in the operation, acting on a petition reportedly submitted by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice and the said buyer, demanding vacant possession of the property.
Ogu said two tenants were taken in for questioning by the police and were only released after posting bail. “They were treated like criminals,” he added, noting the psychological toll the incident had on his client, who also runs a business on the premises.
He further reported that upon Uba’s return from the police station, he found the gates forcibly broken and heaps of sand dumped at the building’s entrances, worsening the disruption.
In a related development, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court has issued an order directing all parties involved in the dispute to maintain the status quo. The interim ruling came in response to a suit filed by Uba, who is seeking to enforce his fundamental human rights and restrain further interference until the court has heard and determined the substantive application.
