Suspected land speculator arraigned for allegedly reclaiming property he sold

By Paul Iyoghojie

A 55-year-old suspected land speculator, Ayotunde Atiroko, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly forcefully reclaiming a two-acre parcel of land he had earlier sold to a buyer in Epe, Lagos State.

Atiroko was arrested by operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, following a petition by the buyer, Adepeju Arinto, who accused him of unlawfully taking over the property despite having sold it to her years earlier.

According to the police, the disputed property, measuring 6,796.283 square metres, equivalent to two acres, is located at Abodo Poika area of Epe, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that Arinto had purchased the land from the defendant several years ago. However, when she mobilised workers to commence development on the property in June 2026, she allegedly discovered that the perimeter fence and gate she had erected had been demolished and replaced with a new fence and gate.

Police further alleged that the property had been occupied by suspected hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons.

When Arinto reportedly questioned the men about their presence on the land, they allegedly informed her that the property no longer belonged to her, claiming they had taken possession of it. They were also said to have warned her not to return to the land or risk being attacked.

Fearing for her safety, Arinto petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, who directed a special team of detectives to investigate the matter and apprehend those responsible.

Police said Atiroko, a resident of Badore, Ajah, Lagos, was subsequently tracked to his hideout and arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who remain at large.

Following investigations led by Inspector Taiwo Abass and his team, the defendant was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on forcible entry, encroachment and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Prosecuting counsel, Superintendent of Police Reuben Solomon, told the court in Charge No. N/15/2026 that Atiroko and his accomplices committed the alleged offences between 2017 and June 2026 at Abodo Poika, Epe.

Solomon alleged that the defendant unlawfully repossessed the land by destroying the complainant’s perimeter fence and gate, erecting new structures on the property without her consent and deploying armed hoodlums to prevent her from accessing the land.

He told the court that the actions were driven by greed and constituted offences punishable under Sections 411, 52, 350 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Presiding Magistrate T.A. Abayomi admitted Atiroko to bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate adjourned the case for mention and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions.