The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, has been named in fresh contempt proceedings filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged disobedience of a subsisting court order relating to the disputed premises occupied by Nestoil Group in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The suit was initiated by Drawcok Estates Ltd, which claims ownership of the property. The company alleges that the police commissioner directed the deployment of more than fifty armed officers to seal the premises on Monday, despite an order by Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia restraining security operatives from interfering with the site.
Drawcok Estates Ltd further contends that police officers were assigned to provide security for Mr. Sulu Gambari, who has presented himself as a receiver-manager appointed during earlier proceedings before Justice Isaac Dipeolu. Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi had previously vacated all orders made by Justice Dipeolu in that matter, including the receiver-manager appointment.
According to court documents, the applicant is asking the court to hold CP Moshood in contempt and commit him to prison unless he complies with the directives contained in Justice Ofili Ajumogobia’s ruling of November 24, 2025.
Background to the Court Order
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia affirmed the right of Drawcok Estates Ltd to possess the properties located in Maitama, Abuja and at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. She ruled that prior sealing or occupation of the properties by security operatives constituted an infringement on the applicant’s constitutionally protected property rights.
The orders issued on November 24 directed the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to:
vacate the properties immediately;
deliver possession to the applicant;
provide security for the applicant to regain access;
and refrain from any acts that may amount to harassment or obstruction.
The court also stated that no police officer should act on the instructions of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police in relation to the disputed premises.
Situation at the Premises
Reporters from Nigerian Concord Newspaper who visited the Nestoil Tower yesterday observed police officers restricting entry into the building. Several workers told the newspaper they were denied access to their offices despite presenting the November 24 court order that directed they be allowed into the premises.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the contempt suit or the allegations concerning deployment of police officers to the property.
