Madam Tinubu Estate: Lawyer Sues Police, Firm Over Alleged Harassment

A Lagos lawyer, Akinfolabi Akindele, has dragged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and four others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over what he describes as police interference in a longstanding dispute over the estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu.

Akindele, who filed the suit alongside Adamakin Investment and Works Limited, an investment company, is asking the court to decide whether the statutory investigative powers of the police can be used to intervene in matters strictly related to civil land ownership, particularly one supported by historical judicial decisions dating back to 1912.

Other defendants in the suit are the Commissioner of Police, the IGP Monitoring Team, a police officer, Supol Akiola Ibrahim, and a private firm, Emkay Holdings Limited.

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit and sworn to by Akindele, the plaintiff averred that he is the lawful attorney to the trustees of the estate of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, the 19th-century Lagos matriarch whose extensive landed properties across Lagos and Ogun States have been the subject of multiple judgments.

He stated his role includes administering and safeguarding the estate’s property interests as the Chairman of Adamakin Investment.

According to him, the land at the heart of the dispute, located at 10 Alhaji Wasiu Street, Industrial Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, is firmly within lands historically granted to Madam Tinubu in 1834 by Chief Balo Origbaja of the Oloto family.

The lawyer further stated that the original customary transaction, which involved cowries, kola nuts, livestock, and other traditional forms of payment, and references the 1912 Supreme Court judgment affirming the Tinubu family’s ownership.

Akindele argued that Emkay Holdings Limited, the fourth defendant, is illegally occupying the land, as there is no record of its acquisition of the property from the Tinubu family.

He stated that when he attempted to enforce the judgment by marking the building, he sought police assistance to maintain peace, which he claimed was lawful.

However, the fourth defendant allegedly petitioned the police, accusing him of trespass and wrongful execution of judgment.

He noted that although the firm presented a certificate of occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government, the plaintiffs opted for an amicable settlement through the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, and the fourth defendant even initiated pre-action protocols in accordance with High Court rules.

“While awaiting the next meeting for settlement,” Akindele said, “my office was invaded by the 3rd defendant, Supol Akiola Ibrahim, and I was arrested and confronted with criminal allegations.”

As of the time of this report’s filing, no date has been set for the case’s hearing.