Adamakin drag IG, CP monitor to court over land dispute
By Ranti Thomas
A fresh legal battle has commenced at the Federal High Court in Lagos as Adamakin Investment and Works Limited and its Managing Director, Mr Akinfolabi Akindele, have instituted court proceedings against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Team, a police officer, Supol Akiola Ibrahim, and a private firm, Emkay Holdings Limited, over what they describe as police interference in a long-running land ownership dispute.
The plaintiffs, through an originating summons filed, Suit No. 2379 on November 20, 2025, are asking the court to determine whether the statutory investigative powers of the police can be used to intervene in matters strictly relating to civil land ownership, especially one backed by longstanding judicial decisions dating as far back as 1912.
Akindele, who deposed to an affidavit in support of the suit, explained that he is the lawful attorney to the trustees of the estate of Madam Iyalode Efunroye Tinubu, the 19th-century Lagos matriarch whose vast landed properties across Lagos and Ogun States have been subjects of multiple judgments.
He said his role includes administering and protecting the estate’s property interests as the Chairman of Adamakin Investment.
According to him, the land at the centre of the dispute, located at 10 Alhaji Wasiu Street, Industrial Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, falls squarely within lands historically granted to Madam Tinubu in 1834 by Chief Balo Origbaja of the Oloto family.
The affidavit lists the original customary transaction, which included cowries, kolanuts, livestock, and other traditional payments, and references the 1912 Supreme Court judgment affirming the Tinubu family’s ownership.
Akindele argued that Emkay Holdings Limited, the 4th defendant, occupies the land illegally, as there is no record that it acquired the property from the Tinubu family.
He stated that when he attempted to enforce the judgment by marking the building, he sought assistance from the police to maintain peace, a move he said was lawful.
chief justice of Nigeria
However, Emkay Holdings Limited allegedly petitioned the police, accusing him of trespass and wrongful execution of judgment.
He noted that although the firm presented a certificate of occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government, the plaintiffs opted for an amicable settlement through the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, and Emkay Holdings Limited even initiated pre-action protocols in accordance with High Court rules.
“While awaiting the next meeting for settlement,” Akindele said, “my office was invaded by the Supol Akiola Ibrahim, and I was arrested and confronted with criminal allegations.”
He added that he presented the police with various judgments, some of which had also been considered in earlier investigations by senior police officers, including a report from the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 2, which supported his claims.
In the affidavit, Akindele maintained that land ownership questions fall strictly within the jurisdiction of the courts, not the police.
He said the Emkay Holdings Limited recourse to police action while settlement processes were ongoing amounted to bad faith.
He further alleged that the conduct of the police officers involved “creates an atmosphere where a transparent and unbiased investigation is impossible,” insisting that the matter is civil in nature and not one that should attract criminal allegations.
Through their originating summons, the plaintiffs are seeking several declarations, including that: The police must exercise investigative powers strictly in line with the Constitution and the Nigeria Police Act 2020; The police cannot use their powers to pursue vendettas or intervene in matters involving the interpretation of court judgments; Complaints relating to land ownership fall under the domain of the judiciary, not law enforcement agencies; and any continued police actions in relation to the matter amount to unconstitutional overreach and usurpation of judicial powers.
They are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the police or their agents from arresting, inviting, or harassing them over the disputed land.
The plaintiffs attached several documents, including earlier court judgments, police reports, correspondence exchanged during settlement efforts, and their title documents.
They argue that these materials demonstrate that ownership had long been settled by the courts, rendering criminal allegations baseless.
According to Akindele he is a law abiding citizen and would not do anything that would go against the constitution of Nigeria and jeopardize the company
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
The police authority should know that their jurisdiction is limited and restricted to criminal matters. Meddling in civil matters has severally caused police institution a lot of financial loss and embarrassment and,it is logically imperative if the office of IG of police should endeavor to reorientate the institution about the limit of police power as statutorily empowered.