Suspected Epe Land Speculator Arraigned Over Alleged Forcible Reclaim of Sold Property

BY PAUL IYOGHOJIE

A 55-year-old man, Ayotunde Atiroko, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly forcibly reclaiming a parcel of land he had earlier sold to a buyer in Epe, Lagos.

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, arrested the defendant and charged him over the incident involving a landed property measuring 6,796.283 square metres, approximately two acres, located at Abodo Poika area of Epe, Lagos.

According to the police, the defendant had sold the property to the complainant, Adepeju Arinto, years ago.

In June 2026, the complainant mobilized to the property to commence development and allegedly discovered that the perimeter fence and gate she had erected were damaged.

Police alleged that a new perimeter fence and gate had been erected on the property, with several individuals stationed there. When the complainant inquired, she was allegedly told that the land no longer belonged to her and was warned not to access the property.

Following a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, in charge of Zone 2 Command, police launched an investigation. The defendant was later arrested at his residence in the Badore area of Ajah, Lagos.

Other suspects remain at large.

After investigation by Inspector Taiwo Abass and his team, the defendant was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a four-count charge bordering on forcible entry, encroachment and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

Police Prosecuting Counsel, Supol Reuben Solomon, told the Court in charge No. N/15/2026 that the defendant and others still at large committed the offence between 2017 and June 2026 at Abodo Poika, Epe, Lagos.

Solomon alleged that the defendant took the law into his hands by forcibly taking over the property he had earlier sold to the complainant.

He was alleged to have destroyed the existing fence and gate, erected new ones without the complainant’s consent, and stationed individuals on the property to prevent her access.

The offences are said to contravene sections 411, 52, 350 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding Magistrate T.A. Abayomi granted him bail in the sum of ₦150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending perfection of bail conditions, and adjourned the case for mention.