Taskforce chairman under fire, accused of dodging Court Service over Lagos land

The battle over a valuable property on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, has intensified, with Magodo Property Development Company Ltd petitioning the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and levelling fresh allegations against the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Tayo Akerele, over what it describes as improper interventions and deliberate evasion of court service.

In a petition dated 14 November, 2025 and signed by the firm’s solicitor, Lukman Imam, Esq., the company urged the IGP to investigate a series of actions allegedly carried out by CSP Akerele and several other individuals, in connection with the disputed property bought by the company in the sum of N1.15 billion.

According to the firm, the land was lawfully purchased from the Federal Government through the Presidential Implementation Committee, after which it took peaceful possession.

The dispute reportedly escalated when Chief Segun Ashogbon allegedly arrived at the site, claiming ownership and attempting to forcefully take over the property.

The matter was initially referred to Zone 2 Police Headquarters, where both sides were directed to present their title documents.

However, while the verification process was ongoing, the petition alleged a separate complaint was secretly filed before the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja, resulting in the controversial sealing of the site.

Magodo Property Development Company, through its solicitor stated that it challenged the sealing at the Federal High Court and secured an order directing that the property be reopened, arguing that police officers have no authority to seal or enforce possession over a civil land dispute.

Yet the firm claimed that enforcement was frustrated when Lagos State Task Force operatives became involved.

The petition also accused some task force personnel of invading the property on two occasions, removing four CCTV cameras and demolishing structures.

It further alleged that police officers were later stationed at the site while the rival claimant attempted to move construction equipment under police protection, a move halted only after a mobile police unit intervened.

In another layer of the controversy, the company reported that two individuals, approached its officials claiming they could “help stop interference on the land.”

They allegedly demanded N20 million, which the firm said it paid, but the petition claims their intervention yielded no relief.

The duo allegedly returned seeking an additional N200 million, and upon refusal, reportedly threatened to “switch allegiance” to the opposing side, an allegation yet to be independently confirmed.

Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when a court bailiff attempted to serve contempt proceedings on CSP Akerele.

The company alleged that the task force chairman avoided service, an accusation it said reflected a disregard for judicial processes and police hierarchy.

“Our client is alarmed by the actions attributed to these individuals,” the petition read. “We therefore respectfully request a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.”

Akerele denies wrongdoing

Responding to the allegations, Akerele denied playing any role in the ownership dispute, stating that the task force does not adjudicate land matters.

He explained that his presence on the property was solely to prevent a breakdown of law and order and that he acted on the directive of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh.

“I have no interest in the land,” Akerele said. “We were instructed to maintain peace because the situation was already heated. That is our operational mandate.”

Attempts to reach him for further clarification after he received the petition were unsuccessful.

See court papers below: