Police Defy Courtroom, Defend Hire Defaulter in Lagos Row

…CTSR Group Chairman’s Guards Arrested as Police Assist Tenant Who Issued Dud Cheque

A deeply troubling drama is unfolding in Lagos, the place revered enterprise magnate and Group Chairman of CTSR Group Ltd, Funke Otti, is dealing with focused harassment from senior police authorities- regardless of possessing a legitimate Justice of the Peace Courtroom order in opposition to a long-term tenant, Svengali Furnishings, who has defaulted on hire funds for over 45 months.

Otti, who owns the industrial premises in dispute, secured a lawful court docket ruling evicting Svengali Furnishings from her property after practically 4 years of unpaid hire, the issuance of a dud cheque, and a number of other failed makes an attempt to get the corporate to fulfil its contractual obligations.

But, quite than upholding the court docket’s judgment, officers from the Pressure Legal Investigation Division (FCID), Alagbon, allegedly below the directive of a high-ranking Assistant Inspector-Basic and senior officer Ngozi Braide, have as an alternative turned on the rightful proprietor, launching what many are describing as a marketing campaign of state-backed intimidation.

A Courtroom Judgment Ignored, and a System Compromised

After exhausting all civil avenues, Otti sought and obtained a ruling from the Lagos Justice of the Peace Courtroom, which authorised the repossession of her property. The court docket’s directive was executed with out resistance by the bailiff, in accordance with the regulation.

Nonetheless, the tenant, Mr Anselem Tabansi, CEO of Svengali Furnishings, reportedly issued a dud cheque for the rent- an act criminalised below Nigerian law-yet continued to illegally occupy the property. Following enforcement of the court docket’s ruling, officers from Alagbon FCID descended on the premises, arrested three of Otti’s non-public safety guards, and issued a misleading invitation aimed toward luring her in for detention.

“She was advised to return and make an announcement,” mentioned a household supply. “Nevertheless it’s clearly a entice. Her guards are already in custody. Her solely ‘crime’ was obeying the court docket.”

Affect Peddling and Police Collusion?

On the coronary heart of the controversy are severe allegations of collusion and abuse of energy. Mr Tabansi is claimed to have boasted publicly about his affect over the police, claiming he had “settled” high officers at Alagbon who would act in his favour.

“He claims he has the police in his pocket,” mentioned a detailed affiliate of Otti. “It’s stunning, however once you see how the police are behaving, you start to marvel if he’s proper.”

The Lagos State Police Command had earlier been petitioned by Otti’s authorized group, and after thorough overview, concluded that the matter was purely civil, advising the police to chorus from interference. But, that skilled verdict was disregarded by Alagbon officers, elevating considerations of deep institutional compromise.

The Enterprise Affect and Human Toll

“That is now not a tenancy situation—it’s an financial and authorized disaster,” mentioned Barrister Ijeoma Nweke, a number one property regulation advocate. “If a businesswoman, a Group Chairman with a legitimate court docket order, can’t implement her rights with out being harassed and focused by police, then we’re working in anarchy, not below regulation.”

Otti, whose firm, CTSR Group Ltd, is recognised for integrity and innovation, now finds herself emotionally drained and legally cornered. “She went to court docket. She received. She acted inside the regulation. Now her guards are behind bars, and he or she is being hunted by state brokers,” a member of the family lamented.

A Clarion Name to the IGP: The Nation Is Watching

Because the saga unfolds, public strain is mounting on Inspector-Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order a direct investigation and rein in what many are calling a harmful sample of selective enforcement and institutional abuse.

“That is the second for the IGP to behave, not only for Funke Otti, however to reaffirm the sanctity of court docket orders and rule of regulation in Nigeria,” mentioned a retired senior police officer. “If Alagbon can reverse a Justice of the Peace Courtroom choice with handcuffs and deception, then no Nigerian enterprise is secure.”

As public outrage grows, girls entrepreneurs, authorized professionals, and civil society teams are rallying behind Otti. The stakes are actually a lot larger than a property dispute- it’s a nationwide check of whether or not wealth and proximity to energy can as soon as once more overcome regulation, decency, and reality.