A United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Aliyu Kazeem, has called on the Nigerian government to protect him from the Nigerian police and army harassment amid several court orders which the two agencies failed to obey in a property tussle matter.
Kazeem also said he was afraid to return to Nigeria, while raising the alarm over his safety, particularly in Ilorin, Kwara State, following years of legal battle over his property in the state capital.
Despite securing multiple court orders, Kazeem alleged that he continued to face harassment, wrongful arrests, and threats to his life.
The dispute stems from the alleged fraudulent sale of his property, located at No. 10, Catchment Road, GRA, Ilorin, which he claims was illegally sold in 2011 without his consent.
The property was allegedly purchased by a senior police officer and the wife of a military officer, Mrs. Adejoke Eyitayo, for N20million, without proper legal documentation.
Upon discovering the illegal sale, Kazeem took legal action, and in 2019, the Kwara State High Court ruled in his favour.
Justice S.M. Akanbi declared the sale invalid, recognised Kazeem as the rightful owner, and ordered Mrs. Eyitayo to vacate the premises.
Following the court’s judgment, Kazeem took legal processes of executing the court judgement to reclaim his property.
However, shortly after, he was accused of burglary and theft, including the alleged stealing of firearms, money, and military uniforms.
This led to his arrest and detention at the Inspector General’s Quarters in Ilorin, where he claims he was denied a fair hearing before being transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Lagos.
A subsequent investigation reportedly cleared him of all allegations.
Despite this, Kazeem says he faced another intimidation and harassment. According to him, he was re-arrested upon arriving in Nigeria at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos by a team of six police officers allegedly led by Mrs Eyitayo.
He was detained in Ilorin before securing a court order protecting him from further harassment.
His complaints to authorities in Abuja led to an independent investigation, which confirmed that the allegations against him were false.
The police authorities reportedly assured him that disciplinary action would be taken against those involved in his wrongful arrests.
Kazeem claims that despite having a court judgment in his favour, he has not been able to repossess his property.
Although the court executed the judgment and handed him the keys, he was met with a heavy presence of security forces —including army officers and police — when he attempted to enter the premises.
“For my safety, I had to leave Nigeria and could not return till date over fear that I might be killed. Despite obtaining a judgment from the appellate court in my favour, all efforts to execute the court judgment prove abortive. Even the court bailiffs are afraid to go there because of the security forces stationed at the property whenever enforcement is attempted,” he lamented.
“Another eviction to execute the judgement of the appellate court and repossess my property is scheduled to take place soon, and I fear that this woman and her husband might attack me and my family. I am also afraid to travel to Nigeria due to the constant threats and harassment to my life.
“Even the court bailiff are afraid to go there. Everyone is afraid because of the heavy presence of security forces there anytime they plan to execute the court judgement. I am helpless and this is why I am crying out to the world. The Nigerian Attorney and Minister for Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, should help me.
“I want the nation and the world to know what is happening. Cases like mine discourage Nigerians abroad from returning home.
“I own a 40-hectare farm in Nigeria with gainful employment to our youths, but I am unable to manage it properly because of these ongoing threats. Whenever I do visit Nigeria, I have to hire civil defence officers to protect me at all times because I do not trust this woman or her husband,” Kazeem lamented.
Kazeem called on the Nigerian government and the international community to intervene, ensuring that court rulings are respected and that Nigerians in the diaspora could return home without fear of persecution.
A report from the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police corroborated Kazeem’s claims.
The report, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Omole Ola, confirmed that the property was illegally sold without Kazeem’s authorisation and Mrs. Eyitayo illegally occupied the property and later made unsubstantiated claims that her husband’s firearms and military items were stolen during her eviction.
The police concluded that both Gbadeyan and Eyitayo could be prosecuted under Sections 81 of the Criminal Code and 342 of the Penal Code for forcible entry and fraud.
Authorities have warned that any further resistance to the court ruling could lead to contempt of court charges.
