- Pastor Dies After Alleged Forceful Eviction in Lagos Estate
- Lawyer, Family Accuse Landlord’s Agents
- Police Yet to Comment Fully
A 67-year-old tenant, Pastor Bolaji Olukotun, has died after an alleged forceful eviction from his residence at Admiralty Homes Estate in Lekki, Lagos, prompting calls for a thorough police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the incident reportedly occurred on July 11 during a disputed property takeover, while the pastor died in the early hours of the following day after he was rushed to a private hospital.
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According to the deceased’s lawyer, Barrister Akpobome Deniran, the dispute stemmed from a rent-to-own agreement between Olukotun and his landlord. He said the pastor had rented the apartment with the understanding that he would eventually purchase it but was unable to meet the financial terms when the offer was made after his tenancy expired.
Deniran alleged that the landlord subsequently decided to sell the property to another buyer and insisted that the pastor vacate the apartment.
The lawyer said he received a distress call from his client at about 2 p.m. on July 11.
“He was in obvious distress and pleaded with me to come to his residence immediately, saying, ‘I’m dying, please come to the house, I’m dying,'” Deniran recalled.
According to him, he arrived at the property to find the pastor lying on the ground while his belongings, including furniture, clothing and personal documents, had been moved outside.
He alleged that more than seven suspected thugs, an armed mobile police officer, an estate agent identified as Blessing Idonor and a prospective buyer identified as Mr Smith were present at the scene.
Deniran claimed the pastor was vomiting, groaning in pain and struggling to speak. He further alleged that those present denied assaulting the victim and instead claimed he had taken an unknown substance.
The lawyer also alleged that the mobile police officer threatened him with a rifle after he attempted to take photographs of the scene and warned him against documenting the incident.
According to him, severe flooding delayed efforts to evacuate the pastor until he was eventually taken to Udeko Medical Centre in the Chevron area of Lekki.
Deniran said the victim later reported the incident to the Ilasan Police Station before his condition worsened. He added that the pastor was placed on oxygen but died hours later.
The deceased’s son, Ayodeji Olukotun, also alleged that his father was forcefully evicted despite an ongoing disagreement over the property.
He questioned claims that his father voluntarily packed his belongings, insisting that photographs from the scene suggested otherwise.
Ayodeji further alleged that estate agents, accompanied by a police officer, suspected thugs and a prospective buyer, gained access to the estate before the incident.
He called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure everyone present during the incident is questioned.
Reacting to the allegations, the landlord’s solicitor, Caleb Onwe, denied that the deceased was forcefully evicted or assaulted.
According to him, officials visited the property with a police officer and a prospective buyer after the tenant allegedly informed them he was ready to vacate the apartment.
Onwe claimed they found the pastor already packing his belongings and in a weak condition inside the house.
He further alleged that the deceased admitted taking an unknown substance and denied that anyone assaulted him.
The solicitor maintained that those at the property contacted the pastor’s lawyer and helped arrange his transportation to the hospital despite the flooding.
He described allegations linking those present to the pastor’s death as unproven and insisted they would have to be substantiated.
The Lagos State Police Command said it could not make an official statement on the matter.
Police spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, said the complainant did not return after initially reporting the incident.
The circumstances surrounding Pastor Olukotun’s death remain disputed. While his family and lawyer insist he died after an unlawful and forceful eviction, the landlord’s representatives maintain that no eviction or assault occurred and claim the deceased had already taken an unknown substance before officials arrived.
