Aliyu Kazeem, a Nigerian residing in the United Kingdom, has raised concerns over the ongoing harassment and threats to his life by Nigerian police and military personnel in relation to a property dispute in Ilorin, Kwara State. Despite securing several court orders, Kazeem claims that his efforts to reclaim his property have been met with continuous intimidation and wrongful arrests.
Kazeem, who has expressed fears for his safety, particularly in Ilorin, explained that the property dispute dates back to 2011 when his property at No. 10 Catchment Road, GRA, Ilorin, was allegedly sold without his consent. The property was reportedly bought by Mrs. Adejoke Eyitayo, the wife of a senior military officer, and a police officer for N20 million, with no valid legal documentation.
Upon discovering the fraudulent sale, Kazeem took legal action. In 2019, the Kwara State High Court ruled in his favor, declaring the sale invalid and confirming Kazeem as the rightful owner. The court also ordered Mrs. Eyitayo to vacate the premises.
Following this ruling, Kazeem attempted to execute the judgment to reclaim his property but faced new accusations, including burglary, theft, and stealing firearms and military uniforms. He was arrested and detained in Ilorin, and later transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Lagos. However, the subsequent investigation cleared him of all charges.
Despite the clearance, Kazeem says the harassment continued. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was allegedly re-arrested at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos by a team of six police officers, reportedly led by Mrs. Eyitayo. He was again detained in Ilorin before securing a court order that protected him from further harassment. An independent investigation, prompted by Kazeem’s complaints to authorities in Abuja, confirmed that the accusations against him were false. The police assured him that disciplinary actions would be taken against those responsible for his wrongful arrests.
Kazeem also claimed that despite having a favorable court ruling, he has been unable to repossess his property. When he attempted to take possession, he was confronted by a heavy presence of security forces, including police and army officers, stationed at the property.
“Out of fear for my safety, I had to leave Nigeria and have been unable to return due to the threat of violence. Despite winning the case, every attempt to execute the court order has failed. Even court bailiffs are afraid to approach the property because of the security forces,” Kazeem explained.
He further expressed his concern over an upcoming eviction to enforce the appellate court’s ruling and the possibility of further attacks on him and his family by Mrs. Eyitayo and her husband. “I fear for my life and that of my family. I am also scared to travel to Nigeria due to the ongoing threats,” he said.
Kazeem revealed that he owns a 40-hectare farm in Nigeria, which provides employment to local youth, but the threats have hindered his ability to manage the farm properly. “Whenever I visit Nigeria, I have to hire civil defense officers for protection because I do not trust Mrs. Eyitayo or her husband,” he added.
He is now calling on the Nigerian government and the international community to intervene, ensuring that court rulings are respected and that Nigerians abroad can 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 sold without Kazeem’s authorization, and Mrs. Eyitayo had illegally occupied the property. The report also stated that Mrs. Eyitayo and her associates could face prosecution for forcible entry and fraud under Nigerian law.
Authorities have warned that any further resistance to the court’s ruling could result in contempt of court charges.
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