Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has described the N130 million land fraud allegation against her as politically motivated.
Ojikutu said the controversy resulted from an agent’s misidentification of land belonging to her late husband, rather than a deliberate attempt to defraud anyone.
She made the disclosure during an interview at the 2026 PR Forum/CSR Exhibition and Award.
The former deputy governor was declared wanted after a petition submitted to the police in June 2014 alleged that she and her son, Sampson, were involved in a N130 million land scam in Lekki, Lagos State.
Ojikutu Explains Land Dispute
Ojikutu said an agent mistakenly identified a vacant plot as her late husband’s property, while the actual property was located on an adjoining plot that had already been developed.
According to her, the agent brought the vacant land to her attention, and her lawyer’s investigation at the land registry indicated that the property had no encumbrance.
She subsequently decided to sell the land.
However, the dispute emerged after the buyer began developing the property and another person claimed ownership.
Ojikutu said further investigation revealed that her late husband’s actual property was the adjoining plot.
She also alleged that someone had sold her late husband’s property, although the family found no clear evidence that he had authorised the transaction.
Ex-Deputy Governor Says She Refunded Buyer
Ojikutu stated that she refunded the buyer after the dispute arose.
She clarified that the amount involved was N120 million, rather than the N130 million widely reported at the time.
“I refunded part of the money. I initially paid him N50m, leaving N70m, which I later repaid in full,” she said.
She maintained that the incident was subsequently used for political purposes because an election was approaching and she was actively involved in the campaign.
Ojikutu also alleged that the buyer was pressured to report the transaction as fraudulent.
The allegation has not been independently established in the available report.
Ojikutu Denies Fleeing Nigeria
The former deputy governor denied claims that she fled Nigeria after travelling to the United States.
She said she had informed the police about her pre-scheduled trip and travelled for medical reasons.
According to Ojikutu, she did not overstay her visit, but was declared wanted shortly after leaving the country.
She added that she had since approached the court to reclaim her late husband’s property.
Former Deputy Governor Denies Corruption
Ojikutu further denied ever embezzling public funds or stealing from organisations where she had worked.
She attributed the controversy to her opposition to corrupt practices and said efforts had been made to damage her political reputation.
The available report contains Ojikutu’s account of the dispute. It does not include responses from the buyer, the police or other parties connected to the original allegations.
