Retiree Petitions IGP Over Police Harassment, Occupation Of His House

A Lagos-based retiree and property owner, Engr Olufemi Fasehun, has formally petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the illegal occupation and professional misconduct by officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Zone 2 Command, Onikan.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Fasehun accused the officers of criminal trespass, unlawful arrest, and closure of his private and business premises at No. 10 Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun.

Fasehun noted that through his legal representatives, he had petitioned the GP seeking urgent intervention and justice.

“This house is my heritage. My father bought it in 1961. We grew up here. Now, I am being harassed like a criminal in my own home,” he lamented.

According to him, the incident began on June 4 when policemen stormed the premises without a warrant, sealed off the building and arrested tenants and workers.

“They locked up my house, the restaurant operated by my tenant, and arrested everyone. We bailed them, only for them to return on June 5 and again on June 20,” he narrated.

The businessman said the police claimed he was in contempt of court for instructing his tenants to keep their businesses open. “They said I was breaking the law. I asked them to show me a court order or warrant. They had none,” he said, adding that all attempts to get redress from Zone 2 Command were met with threats of further arrest and prosecution.

“They stormed the property like armed robbers, no papers, no documentation. This is not policing, it is a disgrace,” he said.

Fasehun added that the closure of the premises has left dozens jobless and tenants stranded.

“The restaurant Paradox has been shut for over 40 days.

The buildings at the back have been sold, yet buyers can’t move in, this is not just illegal, it’s economic sabotage”, he noted.

The legal practitioner to Fasehun, Gbenga Eretan, condemned the police actions, citing grave breaches of the Police Act 2020