Lagos Property Dispute: Woman, Elderly Mother Seek Protection Amid Police Allegations

 

A family property dispute in Lagos has escalated into allegations of attempted eviction, police interference and the demolition of a residential property, with the African Women Lawyers Association calling for intervention by relevant authorities.

A dispute over a family property in Lagos has taken a more serious turn, with a woman, Mojisola Omotayo-Ojo, and her elderly mother alleging that they have faced repeated attempts to force them from the property while related legal proceedings remain before the courts.

The allegations were contained in a statement issued in connection with the matter and made available to the press. The statement alleged that the dispute, which involves members of the family and the administration of the estate of Omotayo-Ojo's late father, had escalated into a confrontation involving the police and other security agencies.

According to the statement, Omotayo-Ojo has been accused by some members of her family of unlawfully collecting rents from the disputed property. She, however, reportedly maintains that the money was collected for the renovation and maintenance of her late father's property.

The statement further alleged that some individuals described as administrators of the estate had been involved in the sale or attempted sale of estate assets. It did not, however, provide independently verified evidence establishing those allegations.

At the centre of the dispute are also legal proceedings reportedly initiated at the Ogba Magistrate Court, Lagos. The statement alleged that Omotayo-Ojo and her mother were described in the proceedings as "unknown tenants" in an attempt to secure their eviction without the required statutory notices.

The family reportedly challenged the proceedings, with the matter now said to be before the High Court in Lagos on appeal. The specific case details and court documents were not independently available for verification at the time of publication.

The statement also alleged that senior police authorities had previously treated the matter as a civil dispute. It claimed that directives issued in November 2025 by the police, including the Abuja legal unit, indicated that the dispute was essentially civil in nature. It further alleged that the Department of State Services had intervened at one stage and urged the parties to maintain peace.

A more serious allegation concerns an incident said to have occurred on August 1, 2026, when the statement alleged that the disputed property was demolished.

According to the account presented by the complainants, armed men allegedly arrived at the property and demolished the building. The statement attributed the alleged operation to individuals whom it named and claimed that a police officer, identified as CSP Yaro, was involved in the circumstances surrounding the operation.

The allegations, including the claim that a police investigation report was improperly obtained or prepared for use in court, could not be independently verified.

The development has prompted the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) to become involved in the matter. AWLA describes itself as an organisation committed to promoting, protecting and preserving the rights and welfare of women and children, including their civil, political, economic and social rights.

The association's Nigeria chapter also identifies land law, family law and criminal law among areas in which it provides legal assistance.

The organisation is reportedly escalating the complaint to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja and seeking intervention over what it considers serious violations of the complainants' rights.

The family has also appealed to the Lagos State Government, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and the Lagos State Attorney-General to intervene and ensure the safety of Omotayo-Ojo and her elderly mother.