The Nigeria Police Force has once again come under intense scrutiny over its alleged involvement in land disputes, as 16 artisans working on a church property in Lekki, Lagos were reportedly arrested, despite a subsisting court order restraining any interference.
SaharaReporters obtained a petition from the legal representatives of the Celestial Church of Christ, Zion Parish, accusing the police of brazen contempt of court and abuse of power by aiding a controversial land grab allegedly orchestrated by one Makuachukwu Chukwujama and Chief John Ogunyemi.
The workers were reportedly arrested on the orders of AIG Margaret Ochalla of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon.
According to the petition signed by Bayo Akinlade Esq., the Church had previously secured three separate injunctions from the Lagos State High Court on April 4, 2025, barring the respondents and their agents, including law enforcement agencies, from disturbing their peaceful occupation of the property located at No. 12 Oye Balogun Street, off Freedom Way, Itedo, Lekki.
Despite this clear court directive, officers from FCID Alagbon stormed the church premises on Thursday, April 17, 2025, and arrested 16 artisans working on-site. Their work tools were also seized in what the Church described as an “unlawful raid.”
Akinlade, who represents the church and its trustees, described the police action as “an outright act of impunity and dangerous disregard for the judiciary.”
“Why is it too hard for the police to stay out of land disputes? Why can’t the police simply obey the laws? What is the AIG’s personal interest in this land?” he asked.
“This is becoming intolerable for law-abiding citizens. The police must not allow themselves to be used as tools of oppression by land speculators and greedy individuals.”
The controversial arrests reportedly stemmed from a complaint lodged by a member of the Elegushi family, purportedly acting on behalf of Chukwujama, who is one of the principal parties in the court case. The complaint, which alleged the church brought “armed men” to work on the property, has since been described by the church’s lawyer as “false and malicious.”
“None of the 16 persons arrested was armed,” Akinlade wrote. “Upon enquiry, the Police could not produce any court order authorising their action. Instead, they relied on false information to illegally invade our clients’ property.”
He emphasised that the police have no jurisdiction to investigate or intervene in the matter, which is actively before the court—a principle rooted in the doctrine of sub judice.
“To continue to investigate a matter which is the subject of ongoing litigation undermines the jurisdiction of the court. It is a dangerous erosion of the rule of law,” Akinlade warned.
In a further twist, the Church Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Aina, was summoned for a “fact-finding investigation” at FCID Alagbon on April 22, a move the Church legal team has condemned as another attempt to intimidate and pressure them into surrendering their property rights.
“We humbly decline any further police invitation. Any aggrieved party should approach the court — not deploy law enforcement to carry out acts of self-help and intimidation,” the petition stated.
In a blistering commentary attached to the petition, Akinlade lamented the growing trend of police being used as land mercenaries under the guise of civil complaints.
“Yes, the police is underfunded and underpaid, but collecting bribes to detain innocent citizens is criminal,” he wrote. “If this continues unchecked, we are simply walking into the jaws of a failed state.”
He called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to *immediately investigate AIG Margaret Ochalla and her team over what he described as “gross misconduct and contempt of court.”
