Lagos Tenants Accuse Police, Landlord of Harassment and Illegal Eviction Attempts

Tenants residing at 5 Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos, have accused the landlord of Vivastar Nigeria Limited of using officers from the Nigeria Police Force to harass and intimidate them in a bid to forcefully evict them without following due legal procedures.

Speaking to Vanguard, the tenants said tensions peaked on June 3, 2025, when a police officer from the Zonal Oracle Unit, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, allegedly confronted three tenants — including Mr. Vincent Uba — and pressured them to sign a forced agreement in the presence of legal representatives from both the seller and the buyer of the property.

“We were coerced into signing the agreement before one Funmilayo from Adeola & Adeola Chambers,” Uba stated. “The document demanded we vacate the premises within two weeks so the new owners could start bringing in building materials.”

According to Uba, by the very next day, June 4, contractors began delivering concrete blocks to the premises.

“I refused to sign the document, which delayed my release that day,” he added. “Since then, I’ve feared for my safety — strange and intimidating men have been seen lurking around the compound daily.”

Uba expressed deep concern over what he described as escalating threats, saying the matter had gone beyond eviction and was now a serious security issue for the tenants.

He also recounted a recent incident on June 20, 2025, when agents of the new owners, accompanied by a truckload of labourers, allegedly attempted to storm his apartment, possibly to evict his family and seize their belongings.

“If not for neighbours who intervened, they would have succeeded,” Uba said. “And just yesterday, around 9 a.m., three policemen came into the compound and arrested several individuals, taking them to an undisclosed station.”

He further alleged that only 20 minutes after the police left, four individuals arrived, claiming they were there to inspect the building with some equipment.

“It was clear the arrests were a smokescreen to make way for these people,” he claimed.

Uba noted that the case is currently being contested in court, both at the Magistrate Court, presided over by Magistrate Ejiro Kubeyinje, and at the Federal High Court, where a fundamental human rights suit is before Justice C. Aneke.

Vanguard

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