Landowner, Tenants Allege Fraud amidst Demolition Plot by Leasing Company   – THISDAYLIVE

Precious Ugwuzor 

A protracted property dispute over a warehouse complex in the Oregun area of Lagos has escalated, leading to the arrest of several police officers allegedly aiding thugs in an attempt to forcibly demolish the property.

The warehouse, located at 50A Industrial Estate, Morison Crescent, Oregun, Alausa, Ikeja, has become the subject of multiple legal actions, petitions to law enforcement agencies, and claims of fraud, criminal damage, and intimidation.

Police detectives from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, confirmed that some officers were arrested for allegedly providing cover for thugs who stormed the premises last week. The attackers reportedly chased out business owners, destroyed goods—mainly furniture—and began partial demolition of the structure before the FCID intervened.

During a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, the landlord and co-owner of the warehouse, Mr. Babajide Debayo Doherty, alleged that the orchestrator of the incident was Mrs. Otti Funke Olayinka, Managing Director of CTSR Properties Limited resorted to false ownership claims, force, and deception to take over the property she originally leased.

Tracing the origin of the matter, Mr. Doherty explained that in 2014, a Deed of Sublease was executed between the trustees of the estate of the late Chief T.A. Doherty and Mrs. Olayinka. 

The lease was for 50 years, broken into five ten-year terms, with a fixed annual rent of ₦250,000 per acre for the first ten years—amounting to ₦445,750 annually for the full 1.795-acre property.

However, he alleged that Mrs. Olayinka only paid an initial ₦250,000 and failed to pay the outstanding ₦198,750 for the first year. “No further rent payments were reportedly made to date,” he said.

Mr. Doherty further alleged that the property was sublet without consent to third parties, including Wow Creamery Limited for $69 million under a three-year sublease, and Svengali Designs Limited for ₦25 million for a one-year lease—an action that violates the original lease terms.

“When we approached the court to revoke the lease, she started filing false police petitions to harass us,” he said. “Thugs invaded the premises and disrupted operations.”

The conflict deepened when thugs, accompanied by a team of policemen, court bailiffs, and bulldozers, stormed the warehouse to enforce what Mr. Doherty described as a suspicious court judgment. He said: “They moved in commando style to execute the judgment, chased away tenants, locked up the premises, and removed equipment worth millions of naira. A bulldozer was also brought in, which demolished part of the warehouse roof, causing malicious damage.”

He added that legal proceedings are ongoing at the Lagos High Court under Suit No: ID/ARR/2860/2024 before Justice M.O. Daudu and Suit No: LD/4201LM/2023 before Justice O.O. Ogunjobi. “Given the severity and pattern of deception, fraud, and criminal damage involved in this matter, we are calling on the Police at Alagbon to launch an immediate investigation into this harassment. Those found culpable should be prosecuted to the full extent of our laws to prevent innocent Nigerians from falling victim to such criminal activities,” he said.

Affected tenants also shared harrowing accounts. Mr. Anselem Tabansi, Managing Director of Svengali Designs Ltd., said he leased part of the warehouse for ₦25 million per annum in 2021 through an agent. “Attempts to meet the real owner were rebuffed,” he said. “Instead, we got letters threatening lease revocation. Suddenly, policemen came and arrested us over false allegations of issuing dud cheques. We were also intimidated by EFCC officials. It has been a nightmare.”

He continued: “They came with policemen and thugs who ordered everyone to leave the warehouse. They removed the roof, and on that day it rained heavily. All the furniture was damaged. On two occasions, they brought a bulldozer to demolish the warehouse but were stopped, although part of the warehouse was still pulled down. They even tried using manual tools to break in. It has been endless stress. We have invested so much and all we want is to run our business peacefully.”

Another tenant, Mrs. Zainab Akingbeyin, who runs a furniture company, expressed fear over repeated invasions. “Since we moved in, there has been no peace. Thugs come in, steal diesel, break our power generating sets and damage equipment. I am even afraid to go there now,” she said.

A restraining order was reportedly pasted on the property, but the landlords and tenants alleged that Mrs. Olayinka ignored it. They further claimed she has not appeared in court for the ongoing suits and has remained unreachable, frequently changing her phone numbers.

In an earlier petition submitted by Country Hill Attorneys & Solicitors on behalf of Mr. Doherty, Mrs. Abimbola Biobaku, and Mrs. Funmilayo Jawando, the complainants accused Mrs. Olayinka, Mr. Babatunde Wusu, and C.T.S.R. Properties Limited of fraud, impersonation, breach of trust, criminal damage, and conspiracy.

Though officers from FCID Alagbon had restored order after the first raid, another group of policemen and enforcers allegedly returned days later with heavier machinery. Several area boys were arrested, but Mrs. Olayinka reportedly remained at large and continued coordinating activities under the cover of night.

At a high-level meeting at AIG Zone 2, Mrs. Olayinka allegedly failed to provide any proof of family notification before subletting or reselling her lease. She was also unable to present any documentation showing rent receipts from the disputed subleases.

On Wednesday, Spokesperson for the FCID Alagbon, ASP Mayegun Aminat, confirmed that an investigation was ongoing. 

Meanwhile, the property remains under police surveillance, and authorities have directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of legal and criminal inquiries while repeated attempts to reach Mrs. Olayinka with the number provided proved abortive.