A property dispute at 50A Industrial Estate, Morrison Crescent, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, has escalated into a disturbing ordeal involving alleged police intimidation, forged documents, and harassment by thugs.
Landlords and tenants are now urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Government to launch an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the controversy.
According to affected parties, the conflict stems from what they describe as a fraudulent attempt to seize control of the warehouse facility, resulting in repeated police raids, property damage, and disregard for legal proceedings.
Owners and tenants alike are now calling for an urgent, full-scale investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Lagos State Government. They insist the situation reflects abuse of power and criminal manipulation of the legal system.
“We’re not asking for favours—just that the law be allowed to run its course,” one of the landlords said.
With reports of changing phone numbers to avoid summonses, thugs allegedly invading the property, and even bulldozers showing up to partially demolish the warehouse, occupants say they’re bracing daily for yet another wave of intimidation.
Mr. Babajide Doherty, who owns the warehouses alongside his two sisters, traced the dispute to 2019 when the property was transferred to them.
“When we took over, the woman managing the property initially introduced herself as Mrs. Uyebo. But when we checked the Corporate Affairs Commission records, we found Mrs. Funke-Oti Dolakomo listed as the director of CTSR Properties Limited. It turned out they’re the same person,” Doherty said.
Trouble allegedly began when she stopped paying the agreed rent.
Doherty further said: “In the first year, she paid only ₦250,000 instead of ₦448,000. Worse still, she secretly sublet parts of the warehouse without our written consent. Under the lease, that should have meant forfeiting the rest of her term.”
He added that tensions escalated after they informed the subtenants that he and his siblings were the rightful owners.
“That’s when the intimidation started. She used police officers, EFCC operatives, customs officers, and even thugs to harass us and the tenants. At one point, she brought in a bulldozer, claiming she intended to demolish the warehouses.”
Doherty clarified that the warehouses were originally built by Lebanese developers and that the alleged manager had only carried out renovations at her own expense—about ₦8 million borrowed from a bank.
“But that doesn’t give her ownership. The lease clearly states that improvements are at the tenant’s expense,” he clarified.
He also accused her of attempting to fraudulently take over the property.
“She registered a 50-year lease in her name despite having paid rent for less than a year. Later, she attempted to evict tenants using what she called a ‘consent judgment’—which we were never notified about. Then she sold part of the lease to another individual.”
Legal efforts, Doherty said, have so far failed to yield results.
“She ignores every summons, has never filed a defence, and keeps changing phone numbers so no one can reach her.”
Appealing to the authorities, he said, “We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the Attorney-General to investigate CTSR Properties Limited and stop this abuse of power. We just want the law to take its course!”
Mr. Anselem Tabansi, one of the affected tenants, recounted how he became entangled in the situation.
“We leased the warehouse through an agent for ₦25 million per annum. I was asked to drop a post-dated cheque for the following year. Before payment, I insisted on meeting the actual owner, but the agent said she didn’t like interacting directly with tenants. Three months later, a lawyer contacted us, claiming the agent had no authority. When we tried to meet the real owners, the woman refused. Instead, she took us to the EFCC, accusing me of issuing dud cheques.”
He said since then, legal battles and police harassment have persisted.
“There was a time when a court bailiff and police officers stormed the premises to evict us. On other occasions, thugs and policemen ordered us to move furniture out. Once, they removed the roof during the rainy season, ruining our equipment and furniture.”
Tabansi added that the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at Alagbon intervened when another team of police officers showed up with thugs, allegedly to demolish the warehouse.
“On two occasions, bulldozers were brought in to tear down the buildings, but the attempts were stopped—though part of the structure was still pulled down. They also made manual efforts to damage the warehouse.”
“It’s been endless stress,” he added. “We’ve invested heavily. All we want is to run our business peacefully.”
Another tenant, Mrs. Zainab Akingbeyin, who runs a furniture company, described living in constant fear.
“Since we moved in, there’s been no peace,” she said. “Thugs come in, steal diesel, destroy generators, and damage equipment. I’m even afraid to go there now.”
She said legal efforts to stop the harassment have yielded no success.
“A restraining order was posted on the property, but she ignores every court directive. She never shows up, and constantly changes her phone numbers.”
Spokespersons for the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, reportedly confirmed the matter is under investigation. Meanwhile, occupants of the property say they live in fear of the next raid—or the next bulldozer.
