67-Year-Old Tenant Dies Following Disputed Eviction at Lagos Estate

A sixty-seven-year-old tenant, Pastor Bolaji Olukotun, has died following a disputed property takeover and alleged forced eviction at Admiralty Homes Estate in Lekki, Lagos.

The incident stems from an unresolved disagreement over the expiration of a rent-to-own agreement. According to the deceased’s lawyer, Barrister Akpobome Deniran, he received a desperate distress call from his client and arrived at the property to find household items scattered outside. Deniran stated that Olukotun was lying on the ground in severe distress, vomiting and complaining of excruciating pain.

The family and legal representative alleged that more than seven armed individuals, accompanied by a mobile police officer, an estate agent, and a prospective buyer, executed an illegal eviction without a valid court order or warrant of execution. They further claimed that the police officer threatened the lawyer and attempted to prevent him from documenting the scene.

Conversely, the property owner’s solicitor, Caleb Onwe, denied that any forced eviction or assault took place. Onwe claimed that representatives visited the property for an inspection after the tenant agreed to vacate, finding Olukotun already weak and packing his belongings. He alleged that the tenant had ingested an unknown substance prior to their arrival.

Due to severe localized flooding in the area, evacuating Olukotun was delayed before he was eventually rushed to Udeko Medical Centre in Chevron, where he tragically passed away while receiving treatment.

The Lagos State Police Command stated that an official comment cannot be provided at this stage, noting that the complainant has yet to return to the station to follow up on the initial report. The family continues to demand a thorough investigation to establish accountability in the matter.